Relevance:
Recently, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has released targets to curb Malnutrition in India.
What is Malnutrition?
- Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body is deprived of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organ function. It occurs in people who are either undernourished or over nourished.
Targets released to Curb Malnutrition:
- To reduce stunting and under-nutrition (underweight prevalence) among children below 6 years by 2% each year.
- To Reduce, low birth weight by 2% per annum, Anaemia among children between six and 59 months, as well as women and adolescent girls (15 to 49 years), by 3% per annum.
Government Initiatives:
- POSHAN Abhiyaan
- Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan
- Mid-day Meal (MDM) scheme
- The National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme
Reference: Indian Express
