A major issue facing India is the high prevalence of malnutrition. This problem is linked to the nation’s complex web of social, economic, and cultural distinctions. The complex nature of this widespread issue needs immediate attention and committed funding in order to stop additional nutritional indicator declines.
What is malnutrition?
About Malnutrition: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), malnutrition is defined as excesses, deficiencies, or imbalances in an individual’s energy and nutritional consumption.
It is a disorder brought on by a person’s diet not providing enough of the critical nutrients needed for growth, development, and optimum health.
Types:
Undernutrition:
- Wasting: Wasting is the term for low weight for height. It happens when someone has experienced an infectious sickness or has not eaten enough.
- Stunting: Stunting is defined as low height for feed. It frequently happens as a result of eating too few calories, which results in a low weight for a certain height.
- Underweight: Underweight refers to children who weigh less than average for their age. An underweight kid may be wasted, stunted, or both.
Malnutrition linked to micronutrients:
- Vitamin A Deficiency: Low vitamin A consumption can cause immune system weakness, visual impairment, and other health problems.
- Anaemia from iron deficiency affects the body’s capacity to carry oxygen, resulting in weakness and exhaustion.
- Iodine Deficiency: Causes thyroid-related conditions that impact cognitive and growth development.
Obesity: Obesity can result from consuming too many calories and leading a sedentary lifestyle. It is marked by a buildup of extra body fat, which raises the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. - A body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher in adults is considered overweight, while a BMI of 30 or more is considered obese.
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) connected to diet: These include cardiovascular conditions like heart attacks and strokes, which are frequently linked to high blood pressure and are mostly brought on by poor nutrition and unhealthful diets.
▪ Global Prevalence: In 2022, it was anticipated that 37 million children were overweight or obese, 45 million were wasted (too thin for height), and 149 million children under the age of five were stunted (too short for age).
· Undernutrition is a contributing factor in over half of fatalities in children under five.
462 million adults are underweight, while 1.9 billion are overweight or obese.
What is India’s malnutrition severity?
The National Family Health Survey 5 states:
Prevalence of Malnutrition: 18.7% of women aged 15–49 suffer from malnutrition; 35.5% of children under five are stunted; 19.3% are wasted; 32.1% are underweight; and 3% are overweight.
Anaemia prevalence: 57.0% in women aged 15–49 and 25.0% in males aged 15–49
- 59.1% in teenage girls and 31.1% in teenage boys aged 15 to 19
52.2% of pregnant women aged 15 to 49 - 67.1% among kids aged 6 to 59 months
▪ Global Food Security and Nutrition Situation, 2023: In India, 39% of people did not eat a diet that was nutrient adequate, and 74% of people could not afford a nutritious diet.
▪ In accordance with the Global Hunger Index 2023, India’s score of 28.7 on the GHI Severity of Hunger Scale is deemed serious.
What are the Consequences of Malnutrition in
India?
Health Consequences:
Stunted Growth: Malnutrition can affect a child’s physical and mental development by causing stunted growth.
compromised immune system: Because malnourished people have compromised immune systems, they are more prone to infections, which raises morbidity and mortality.
Micronutrient shortages: Regular use of foods low in micronutrients can result in iron, vitamin A, and zinc shortages, which can compromise immunity.
Educational Repercussions:
Cognitive Impairment: Early childhood malnutrition can impair cognitive function, impeding academic performance and learning capacities.
School Dropout Rates: Children who are malnourished may find it difficult to attend class on a regular basis and are more likely to drop out, which might affect their education as a whole.
Economic Impact: Productivity Loss: During infancy and adulthood, malnutrition can result in lower work productivity, which has an impact on the total economic production of the country.
Higher Healthcare Costs: The prevalence of malnutrition puts more strain on the healthcare system, which raises both the public and private sectors’ expenses.
Impact Across Generations: 6
Maternal and Child Health: The cycle of dietary inadequacies is perpetuated when anaemic moms give birth to anaemic infants.
Long-Term Health Effects: Children who are malnourished are more likely to experience health issues as adults, which will further affect the population’s general health and well-being.
Social Consequences: Increased Vulnerability: Social inequality is exacerbated by malnutrition, which frequently impacts marginalised and economically poor populations.
Stigma and prejudice: People who suffer from malnutrition may encounter prejudice and stigma from society, which can affect their mental health and general wellbeing.
▪ National Development: Decreased Human Capital: Malnutrition limits the potential for social and economic advancement by impeding the development of human capital.
Increased Healthcare Burden: The high incidence of malnutrition puts more strain on healthcare systems, taking funds and time away from other crucial health programs.
What are Key Challenges in Handling Malnutrition in
India?
Economic Inequality: Because of their low income, the poor frequently lack access to or cannot buy wholesome food. Due to economic volatility, natural catastrophes, or conflicts, they also experience food insecurity.
Approximately 74% of Indians lack the financial means to maintain a nutritious diet.
▪ Inadequate dietary intake and dietary shifts: consumption habits have changed from balanced and varied foods to processed and sugar-filled ones. The intake of subpar food and a lack of dietary variety are two other significant causes of malnutrition in India.
The Indian cuisine frequently lacks important minerals, including iron, zinc, and vitamin A. ▪ Poor sanitation: Unsanitary and unhygienic conditions can expose people to more viruses and parasites that can lead to infections and illnesses.
Absence of Primary Health Infrastructure: Many Indians lack access to essential health services, including vaccinations, prenatal care, and infection treatment. This raises the possibility of illnesses and issues that might exacerbate malnutrition.
According to WHO guidelines, there should be one doctor for every 1000 people and three nurses for every 1000 people. There are 1.74 nurses and 0.73 physicians for every 1000 persons in India.
▪ Inconsistent and Delayed Delivery: Inconsistent service delivery and program implementation delays lead to gaps in nutritional interventions.
Just 50.3% of children under six years old got any services from an Anganwadi, per the NFHS-5.
How to tackle malnutrition in India effectively?
Adoption of Fortification: Since adding vital nutrients to staple foods during processing is a rather inexpensive technique, it is financially feasible to use on a broad scale.
Goiter rates were considerably decreased in 1992 when iodised salt was used as part of the National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control 9 Program.
▪ Create a Targeted SBCC Action Plan: The government should work together to create a Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Action Plan that is organised and targeted to malnutrition.
The goals, target audience, main points, and communication tactics should all be included in this strategy.
Improve Healthcare Infrastructure: To help with early identification and management of malnutrition, the government would take steps to fortify healthcare facilities, particularly in rural regions.Enhancing healthcare professionals’ ability to identify and treat malnutrition should receive more attention.
· In order to fully meet the population’s healthcare demands, India needs an extra 3.5 million hospital beds.
By 2025, the National Health Policy suggested raising government health spending from the current 1.2% to 2.5% of GDP.
▪ Monitoring and Assessment: To evaluate the effects of nutrition interventions, put in place reliable monitoring and assessment methods.
For example, each Anganwadi’s “severe acute malnourished” and malnourished children’s data are tracked in real time by the Poshan Tracker.
▪ Eating Locally Nutritious Food: The government needs to encourage people to eat traditional, locally accessible foods that are high in vital nutrients.
Dietary diversity is increased by promoting the eating of a range of foods that are readily available in the area.
▪ Empowerment of the Community: Engage nearby communities in the planning and execution of nutrition initiatives.
Self-sufficiency in the production of wholesome food will be encouraged via the establishment of community-based projects.
▪ Techniques for Communication: Building trust with the recipients requires using communication channels including community radio, videos, and door-to-door contact.
To guarantee greater comprehension and involvement, craft communications in vernacular languages that take into account local settings.
