SHOCKING REVELATIONS OF MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN IN INDIA –DR CHOPRA
The latest report of the NATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY- 5 tells us that malnutrition in children has risen in majority of the Indian states and this is indeed shocking.
Child growth is internationally recognised as an important indicator of nutritional status and health in populations. Before pondering over the details of survey, we need to understand conceptually a little about Malnutrition in children
According to WHO malnutrition incorporates in itself wasting, stunting, less body weight than required, obesity, deficiency of vitamins, minerals and consequent diet-related non communicable diseases.
Stunting: Children who suffer from growth retardation as a result of poor diets or recurrent infections tend to be at a greater risk of illness and death and this is called STUNTING. Stunting is the result of long-term nutritional deprivation and often results in delayed mental development, poor school performance and reduced intellectual capacity. This in turn affects economic productivity at national level.
Wasting: Wasting in children is a symptom of acute under nutrition, usually as a consequence of insufficient food intake or a high incidence of infectious diseases, especially diarrhoea.Wasting in turn impairs the functioning of the immune system and can lead to increased severity, duration and susceptibility to infectious diseases and an increased risk of death.
Underweight: As weight is easy to measure, this is the indicator for which most data have been collected in the past. Evidence have shown that the mortality risk of children who are even mildly underweight gets increased, and severely underweight children are at even greater risk.
INDIAN SCENARIO OF MALNUTRITION IN CHILDREN
Kids below the age of five make the most vulnerable group of malnutrition in India. This survey has highlighted that leaving aside Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Sikkim the remaining states which were assessed ( Total 22) have shown burden on any of the three markers of malnutrition, viz. stunting, wasting and underweight.
The most disheartening revelation is that eight states have reported a surge across all the three markers of child malnutrition as compared to figures of 2015-16.On an average one in three in surveyed states has been found stunted, one in six wasted and one in four underweight.Even incidence of severe respiratory diseases among children grew in many states in last four years .
The Covid 19 pandemic has wreaked havoc with the health of children, pregnant women and elderly, is no exaggeration. Its exact role in the rise of incidence of malnutrition in the Indian kids below five, is perhaps yet to be ascertained or revealed by the experts.
Malnutrition robs children of the golden period of their lives- CHILDHOOD, future and leaves their lives hanging in balance.
Poor child feeding practices are taken as key factors behind malnutrition of the under five kids. Not only the socio-economic elements are of crucial importance but the plans and commitments of the government are of paramount significance.To wipe away malnutrition from the country(As desired by the Centre) by 2022 is indeed a herculean task lest the authorities do some serious introspection, restructure its schemes, policies and take the issue on war-footing.
DR.SUNIL CHOPRA ,LUDHIANA.INDIA 9815574644
20 comments
Unless the population of a country is controlled, these malnutrition problem is bound to occur.
The situation, as highlighted by Dr. Chopra, is very alarming. Unless some concrete plan is chalked out at the earliest, the future of the country will be marred by citizens most of whom suffered malnourishment at one point of time in their lifetime.
There is an urgent need to increase the awareness of the dangers that lurk in the form of mal nourishment.
Thank you Dr.Chopra for the detailed article on Malnutrition.The situation is grim.
Poor nutrition is very common in india. As per the data shown in the diagram, it is really alarming in some areas. Well explained by Dr.Sunil Chopra in the article.
On the contrary there is small population where children are overfed and they have childhood obesity.
Root cause is lack of education and less resources and poor hygiene practices.
Dr.Sharma you have very precisely commented on the topic.You are true that CHILDHOOD OBESITY also comes under Malnutrition.And above all I endorse your words…..the root cause is lack of education.
Congratulations dr Chopra for wonderful article. Main problem is due to uncontrolled population and due to selfishness of politicians. Government is not serious about medical facilities in India.
Very nice
To achieve goal for healthy india only population control
Indeed a vey gloomy picture government should do the remedial measures to erradicate this problem people should also be educated
Dr. Chopra you are very much right in your opinion regarding malnutrition in kids. It is too common in our country. It is the prime duty of government to give it priority so that we can build a healthy nation.
Malnutrition well explained by Dr. Sunil Chopra in poor uneducated class but there is another aspect of the problem children in well to do families are being fed fast food and Coke etc diet that lacks nutrients. Children get obese but are malnourished
Thought provoking article by Dr. Chopra. Mainly due to the misplaced priorities of the successive governments. Health budget of India is dismal as compared to even so called poorer countries what to talk about developed countries. The results are shocking but not surprising with around more than 30% population being below poverty line. We are more worried about declining sale of cars than growing number of malnourished children.
Children are nation’s future & it’s indeed shameful that a nation with abundant agricultural produce has malnourished children Proper utilization of available resources is required to tackle
Children are nation’s future & it’s indeed shameful that a nation with abundant agricultural produce has malnourished children Proper utilization of available resources is required to tackle
During my rural service, I used to come across quite a few malnourished children , particularly of those who resided in the jhuggis, though they were only Grade 1 or Grade 2 malnutrition. Grade 3 and Grade 4 malnourished children is a rarity in Punjab. Through the anganwaris in villages nutrition is provided to these children. I would like to add that clean drinking water, toilets and environmental sanitation plays a great role in the health of a child, hence these should not be ignored.. Anemia is very common in these children. Kudos to you Dr. Chopra
Thank you so much Dr.P.Handa.Being a paediatrician your comments mean a lot.I understand you have seen a lot of such cases.
Dr.Malhotra,
Thanks for sharing your experiences.The problems of rural and poor children must be tackled quite precisely.
Respected Dr.Nisha Bansal,
You have rightly shown concern for the future stalwarts of the country , ie children.
Malnutrition is rhe common problem in our country. Children are the future of our country. Under these circumstances they will not grow and our country will be the weakest in coming years. It is our moral duty to protect them from this
Poverty & poor public health infrastructure along with a massive population contribute to this glaring health issue of malnutrition. Malnutrition among children is one of common causes of mortality among children under 5 years of age. Your article brings out the seriousness of this important issue.