Malnutrition Among Children Worsens In India: Survey

The latest data from the National Family Health Survey 2019-20 presents a very worrying picture as malnutrition among children in several states across the country is increasing rather than decreasing. In many large states, the proportion of malnutrition among children under 5 years of age has increased compared to the previous National Family Health Survey (NFHS) in 2015-16. Even rich states like Gujarat and Maharashtra have recorded worsening levels of child nutrition since 2015.

One criterion of economic growth is that people get nutritious food. According to the data, the proportion of malnutrition among children aged below 5 years in Gujarat has increased by 0.5% in 2019-20 compared to 2015-16. Similarly, the proportion of malnutrition of children below 5 years has increased by 0.6% in Maharashtra, 1.3% in West Bengal and 3.1% in Telangana. But the most shocking figures are Kerala which recorded a 3.3% increase.

The ground reality of hunger in India also presents an annual report of the 2020 Global Hunger Index. According to this report, India ranks 94th in the list of 107 countries. According to the report, India's neighbors in South Asia have performed far better, with Myanmar ranking 78th and Pakistan 88th.

According to a new GHI report, about 14 percent of India's population is malnourished. The stunting rate among children in India is 37.4 percent. Stunted children are those who is too short for their age and reflects chronic undernutrition.

Keep in mind, if children do not get enough nutrition then they are not able to do well in school. Additionally, they also face difficulties in getting selected in high-skilled, well-paid jobs. Such children are deprived of contributing to the development of the country. In addition, there is evidence that nutritional deficiencies, particularly stunting, may have an effect on genetics. Thus, malnutrition also has an impact on future generations.