• UGI USER
  • Sep 10, 2024
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Malnutrition causes over 70% of child deaths in India

Why in the news?

In 2021, over 70% of child deaths in India were linked to malnutrition, highlighting the urgent need to improve maternal and child nutrition for better health outcomes.

About the Malnutrition and Child Deaths in India (2021):

  • 7 million children under 5 died in India in 2021.
  • 5 million of these deaths (over 70%) were linked to child and maternal malnutrition.
  • Globally, 50% of child deaths (4.7 million under 5) were due to malnutrition.

Factors Contributing to Malnutrition-Linked Deaths

  • Major contributors: low birth weight due to maternal malnutrition, infectious diseases during pregnancy, and underweight children vulnerable to disease.
  • ‘Wasting’ (low weight for height) and ‘stunting’ (short height for age) lead to high death rates in low-income countries.

Global Decline in Malnutrition-Linked Child Deaths

  • Deaths from malnutrition decreased globally by 63% from 1990 to 2021.
  • India saw an 80% drop, from 2.4 million to 0.5 million.
  • Improvements in sanitation, disease control (e.g., diarrhoea, malaria), and healthcare access (e.g., skilled birth attendants) have contributed to this progress.
  • Enhancing maternal and child nutrition remains critical for further reducing these deaths.

About Malnutrition:

  • Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in nutrient intake (WHO).
  • It leads to inadequate health growth, and development.

Types of Malnutrition:

1.Undernutrition:

  •  Wasting: Low weight-for-height.
  • Stunting: Low height-for-age.
  • Underweight: Low weight-for-age.

2. Micronutrient-related Malnutrition

  • Vitamin A Deficiency: Impairs vision and immunity.
  • Iron Deficiency: Causes anaemia.
  • Iodine Deficiency: Affects growth and cognition.

3. Obesity: Excessive body fat due to calorie intake.

4.Diet-related NCDs: Includes cardiovascular diseases linked to poor diet.

Steps Taken by the Government of India Against Malnutrition:

  • Mission Poshan 2.0: Aims to strengthen nutrition programs and address malnutrition.
  • Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): Provides food, preschool education, and healthcare.
  • Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY): Financial support to pregnant and lactating women.
  • Mid-Day Meal Scheme: Nutritious meals for school children.
  • Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG): Nutrition support for adolescent girls.
  • Mother’s Absolute Affection(MAA): Promotes breastfeeding.
  • Poshan Vatikas: Nutrition gardens for locally grown food.

Associated Article:

https://universalinstitutions.com/global-hunger-index-highlights-indias-malnutrition-challenge/