Malnutrition in India

Malnutrition in India is alarmingly high with the nation raking 10th and 17th across the global list of countries possessing the highest number of underweight and stunted children. The socioeconomic disparities between rural and urban regions and climate change are the key causes of malnutrition and food insecurity in India. The National Nutritional Strategy has been implemented to address the issue. Read more about the issue on Desklib.

Running head: MALNUTRITION IN INDIA
MALNUTRITION IN INDIA
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1MALNUTRITION IN INDIA
Introduction
Importance of the Issue
At present, as estimated by the United Nations Children’s Fund, the prevalence of
malnutrition in India is alarmingly high with the nation raking 10th and 17th across the global list
of countries possessing the highest number of underweight and stunted children (Rao, 2017).
Such high rates of malnutrition, especially under-nutrition are directly associated with lack of
adequate food security in India (Upadhyaya, Rana & Bisla, 2018).
According to Meenakshi (2016), India continues to be one of the highest contributors of
under-nutrition worldwide, with the presence of a triple burden of malnutrition existing in terms
of diet quality, diet quantity and harmful infectious and metabolic diseases resulting in a rapid
aggravation of prevalence rates. The emerging issue of climate change further contributes to the
severity of this national menace. Hence, the growing social disadvantages, resultant fatal
consequences and the aggravating issue of climate change in contributing to the increasing rates
of malnutrition and food insecurity in India are the reasons why this issue must be addressed
with immediate importance (Chakrabarty, 2016).
Discussion
Cause and Consequences
One of the key causes of malnutrition and food insecurity in India is the presence of
socioeconomic disparities between rural and urban regions. It has been estimated that the
prevalence of malnutrition in India is lower in urban areas (29%) as compared to rural areas
(29%) (Rao, 2017). Reasons for this include poor intake and decreased affordability and

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accessibility of nutritious foods like cereals, vegetables, meat and dairy products resulting in
poor nutritional status. Such inadequate food intakes result in harmful health consequences like
increased rates of deficiency disorders like anemia, stunting and low birth weight across
newborns (Meenakshi, 2016). Low birth weight babies have 20 times greater risk of mortality
than normal weight babies, as postulated by the WHO (Rao, 2017).
An additional contributor to malnutrition and food insecurity in India is climate change.
Rising rates of global warming has resulted in increased heat waves, frequent droughts, crop
shortage and hence the resultant food insecurity in India. This is a growing concern since thr
global issue of climate change is undergoing raid aggravation (Chakrabarty, 2016).
What has been done
At present, the Indian Government has implemented a number of policies to end poverty
and disease prevalence in the nation, such as Health Assurance for All, Financial Inclusion
Scheme, Clean India Campaign and End Open Defecation Campaign. Despite the availability of
extensive policies, there is a need to address the diet quality, quantity and awareness across
populations along with taking the issue of climate change on an international level since high
rates of food insecurity and drought incidences continue to prevail in the nation (United Nations,
2019).
Policy Recommendations
Currently the National Nutritional Strategy has been implemented to address the issue. Its
recommendations include: an aim to decrease malnutrition rates by 2030, execution of nutritional
interventions, water and sanitation recommendations as part of women and child services,
inclusion of local leaders for planning nutritional interventions with a decentralized approach and

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provision of nutritional support, nutritional screening and counseling of mothers as per of pre
and post natal care (Suri, 2019).
Conclusion: Importance
Hence, it can be observed that malnutrition and food insecurity in India must be
addressed across both local and international levels due to the contributing factors of
socioeconomic disparities and climate change. To conclude, the implementation of
aforementioned recommendations will not only improve affordability and accessibility to
nutritious sources but will also improve nutritional knowledge at the grassroots level.

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References
Chakrabarty, M. (2016). Climate Change and Food Security in India. Observer Research
Foundation (ORF): New Delhi, India. Retrieved from: http://cf.orfonline.org/wp-
content/uploads/2016/09/ORF_IssueBrief_1571.pdf.
Meenakshi, J. V. (2016). Trends and patterns in the triple burden of malnutrition in
India. Agricultural Economics, 47(S1), 115-134. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12304.
Rao, N. (2017). Malnutrition in India: The National Nutrition Strategy explained. Retrieved 20
July 2019, from https://www.prsindia.org/theprsblog/malnutrition-india-national-
nutrition-strategy-explained.
Suri, S. (2019). For a malnutrition-free India. Retrieved 20 July 2019, from
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/for-a-malnutrition-free-india/
article26984216.ece.
United Nations. (2019). UN Priority Areas In India - UN India. Retrieved 20 July 2019, from
https://in.one.un.org/un-priority-areas-in-india/.
Upadhyaya, P., Rana, M., & Bisla, G. (2018). Food and nutrition security in India: It’s status,
causes, incentives and initiatives. Retrieved from:
http://www.homesciencejournal.com/archives/2018/vol4issue1/PartE/4-1-58-982.pdf.