Malnutrition in India is a worry in a modern scenario

Good nutrition has the power to empower the present and future generations. India’s greatest national treasure is its people, especially women and children but even after 75 years of independence, a majority of them do not get the required diet to meet their nutritional needs.

Situation in India

• Stunting- While there was some reduction in stunting rates (35.5% from 38.4% in NFHS­4) 13 States or Union Territories have seen an increase in stunted children since NFHS­4; this includes Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Kerala.
• Malnutrition- Malnutrition trends across NFHS surveys show that wasting, the most visible and life threatening form of malnutrition has either risen or has remained stagnant over the years.
• Anaemia-India also has the highest prevalence of anaemia in the world. The NFHS­5 survey indicates that more than 57% of women (15­49 years) and over 67% children (six­59 months) suffer from anaemia.