As per Global Hunger Index, India suffers from a level of hunger that is serious. Discuss the basic factors responsible for it, and suggest remedial measures in context of existing schemes to reduce the problem of malnutrition. (200 Words)
Refer - Financial Express
Enrich the answer from other sources, if the question demands.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
· Data on undernutrition for children under the age of five from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of 2005-06 and 2015-16 illustrates that the incidence of undernutrition in children in India is high.
Basic factors
· According to UNICEF India, another significant cause of U5MR is acute undernutrition, accounting for 38% of the deaths.
· Other important factors like nutritional status of adolescent girls (future mothers) and prenatal nutrition have received scant attention.
· Nutritional status runs in a viscous intergenerational cycle with adolescent girls with poor nutritional status later becoming undernourished pregnant women, who, in turn, are likely to give birth to children who are stunted, wasted or underweight.
· As a result, the high number of undernourished mothers are likely to give birth to undernourished children. In fact, according to the NFHS-4 report, children born to women with low body mass index (BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2) have a higher likelihood of being stunted, wasted or underweight.
Remedial Measures
· Effective implementation of The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan provides safe delivery and takes care of mothers’ health and scheme for Adolescent girls.
· Increasing the number of ASHA workers at Primary health care centres to increase awareness about the health of both mother and child.
· Diversification of food grains under public distribution system will improve the intake of nutritive food thereby reducing hidden hunger. Eg: Millets can be provided at fair price shops.
Sandeep 6 years
Kindly review thanks
IAS Parliament 6 years
Good answer. Try to include about adolescent
girls category and their nutritional problems. Keep Writing.
IAS Parliament 6 years
KEY POINTS
· Data on undernutrition for children under the age of five from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of 2005-06 and 2015-16 illustrates that the incidence of undernutrition in children in India is high.
Basic factors
· According to UNICEF India, another significant cause of U5MR is acute undernutrition, accounting for 38% of the deaths.
· Other important factors like nutritional status of adolescent girls (future mothers) and prenatal nutrition have received scant attention.
· Nutritional status runs in a viscous intergenerational cycle with adolescent girls with poor nutritional status later becoming undernourished pregnant women, who, in turn, are likely to give birth to children who are stunted, wasted or underweight.
· As a result, the high number of undernourished mothers are likely to give birth to undernourished children. In fact, according to the NFHS-4 report, children born to women with low body mass index (BMI less than 18.5 kg/m2) have a higher likelihood of being stunted, wasted or underweight.
Remedial Measures
· Effective implementation of The Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan provides safe delivery and takes care of mothers’ health and scheme for Adolescent girls.
· Increasing the number of ASHA workers at Primary health care centres to increase awareness about the health of both mother and child.
· Diversification of food grains under public distribution system will improve the intake of nutritive food thereby reducing hidden hunger. Eg: Millets can be provided at fair price shops.
