Suposhan: Unlocking the Unattainable - Battling Malnutrition Among the Underprivileged
India, known as one of the world's largest producers of food grains, paradoxically harbors a significant population plagued by malnutrition, particularly among the underprivileged. Shockingly, one-third of the world's malnourished children call India their home, with nearly half of children under three years old being underweight. This alarming crisis is rooted in economic inequality and creates a vicious cycle that begins with poverty, leading to limited access to nourishing meals, inadequate nutrients, and ultimately, malnutrition. In response, the Indian government has initiated various schemes to tackle this harrowing issue.
Current Government Initiatives to Combat Malnutrition:
1. National Nutrition Mission (NNM) - Poshan Abhiyaan:
Launched by the Indian government, NNM, also known as Poshan Abhiyaan, is an ambitious mission aiming to eliminate malnutrition by the year 2022.
2. Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan:
This mission, initiated in 2018, seeks to accelerate the decline of anemia by one to three percentage points annually, prioritizing the health of women and children.
3. Mid-day Meal (MDM) Scheme:
The MDM scheme focuses on enhancing nutrition levels among school children while also improving school enrollment, retention, and attendance rates.
4. The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013:
NFSA is designed to provide food and nutrition security to the most vulnerable populations, making access to food a legal entitlement.
5. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme:
Launched in 1975, this program provides a holistic approach, offering food, preschool education, primary healthcare, immunization, health checkups, and referral services to children under six years old and their mothers.
Approaches to Tackle Malnutrition:
1. Nutritional Planning:
Effective nutritional planning is crucial in combatting malnutrition. Creating well-balanced diets and ensuring regular meals can play a pivotal role in providing the necessary nutrients for overall health.
2. Nutrition and Health Education:
A multifaceted approach involving improved healthcare systems, nutrition education, early detection of malnutrition, and timely intervention can make a significant impact on underprivileged communities.
3. Nutrition Supplementation:
Providing essential vitamins and minerals through supplementation can help bridge the nutritional gap and enhance the well-being of those struggling with malnutrition.
4. Balanced Diet:
The most effective way to prevent malnutrition is by consuming a healthy, balanced diet. It's vital not to skip meals and to aim for three regular meals a day, supplemented by two to three snacks if appetite is poor. Consuming beverages after meals, rather than before or during, helps maintain a healthy appetite. Always remember, balance is the key to good nutrition.
Malnutrition is a pressing issue in India, particularly among the underprivileged. The Indian government's initiatives, like NNM and Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, are making significant strides in alleviating this crisis. However, addressing malnutrition also requires individual and community efforts, such as promoting nutritional planning, healthcare development, and balanced diets. Together, we can work towards a healthier, more nourished India, where the unattainable becomes achievable, and malnutrition becomes a thing of the past.
Fatima Siddiqa
MSC I Year
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