39% of kids below 5 ‘very short’ for their age: Report

In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that child malnutrition rate in India is among the highest in the world. The latest report released by the government on Thursday indicates that malnutrition rate in India is declining faster, but not at a pace to meet the global targets.

The data indicates that 39 per cent of the children below the age of five in the country are stunted for their age, which clearly shows that they are malnourished. Globally, there are 24 per cent such children. Their brain and immune system is not developed, which causes health ailments to them throughout life.

Both the reports – India Health Report: Nutrition 2015 and Global Nutrition Report – released by Health Minister JP Nadda and Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi, point out need for a swift improvement in checking malnutrition.

The 2015 India Health Report (IHR) offers a critical analysis of the current situation with nutrition at the national and state levels. It provides easy-to-understand, state-wise data dashboards for 28 states and Delhi that give a comprehensive view of nutrition and its determinants.

The 2015 Global Nutrition Report (GNR) assesses progress in reducing malnutrition in 193 countries across the world. It concludes that India is on track to meet two of the eight global targets on nutrition and has significantly improved its performance in the past 10 years.

Nadda urged policy-makers to find out solutions to eradicate malnutrition. The Health Minister said: “There is an urgent need to “accelerate action at the state-level, which is essential for changing the trajectory of India’s children’s future as the battle against malnutrition must be fought at the ground level in communities and at homes.”

Nadda also emphasised on providing timely and evidence-based holistic intervention using a continuum of care approach in a convergent manner with all concerned departments such as water, sanitation, hygiene, education, agriculture and food security.

Gandhi highlighted the role of Angawadi and ASHA workers in eradicating malnutrition. She laid stress on imparting training to Angawadi workers and reiterated the need for more coordination between Angawadi and ASHA workers and also between various ministries.