As per the data of Poshan Tracker for the month of November 2023, around 7.44 crore children under 6 years were measured, according to government information in Rajya Sabha. Out of whom 37.51% were found to be stunted, 17.43% were found to be underweight and 6% children under 5 years were found to be wasted. The levels of underweight and wasting are much less than that projected by NFHS 5.
Stunting, experts believe, has lifelong consequences on human capital, poverty and equity. It leads to less potential in education and fewer professional opportunities.
The Government says it has accorded high priority to the issue of malnutrition and is implementing several schemes and programmes of different Ministries/Departments through States/UTs to address various aspects related to nutrition.
In the 15th FC, components of nutritional support for children below the age of 6 years, pregnant women and lactating mother, Adolescent Girls (14 – 18 years); Early Childhood Care and Education [3-6 years]; Anganwadi infrastructure including modern, upgraded Saksham Anganwadi, POSHAN Abhiyaan and Scheme for Adolescent Girls have been reorganised under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0).
Under Mission Poshan 2.0, Supplementary nutrition is provided to beneficiaries 300 days in a year through the network of 13.97 lakh AWC located across the country for bridging the gap in the intake as compared to the recommended dietary intake. Only fortified rice is being supplied to AWCs to meet the requirement of micro-nutrient and control anemia among women and children.
Greater emphasis is being given on the use of millets for preparation of Hot Cooked Meal and Take Home rations (THR-not raw ration) at Anganwadi centres for Children below 6 years of age, Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers.
To address various policy and systemic gaps, the government says the ICDS and Anganwadi Services schemes have been re-evaluated in respect of programme design, implementation process, outcome and impact and for re-assessing the relevance of the programme in achieving its aims and goals.
Timely nutritional interventions of breastfeeding, age-appropriate complementary feeding, full immunisation, and Vitamin A supplementation, which have proven effective in improving outcomes in children, need to be ensured. It is well recognised that most of the growth faltering occurs during six months to two years when complementary feeding plays a significant role in addressing nutrition intake by a child. All the stakeholders must ensure better supplements. Effective monitoring and implementation of various programmes as well as critically evaluating various aspects need to be taken to address malnutrition and prioritising the reduction of child undernutrition in overall context.
