The latest Global Nutrition Report (GNR) of 2021 reveals that India has not shown significant progress in combating anaemia and childhood wasting. This article examines the key findings of the report, along with providing suggestions for improvement.
Global Nutrition Targets
In 2012, the World Health Assembly, which is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization, identified six nutrition targets to be met by 2025. These include a 40% reduction in stunting among children under the age of five, a 50% reduction in the prevalence of anaemia among women aged 19-49 years, a 30% reduction in low-birth weight, prevention of an increase in childhood overweight, increasing breast-feeding rates up to 50% in the first six months, and maintaining childhood wasting to less than 5%.
Key Findings of the Global Nutrition Report
The GNR concludes that, given the current pace of progress, the global nutrition targets are unlikely to be met by 2025. The progress and data availability towards these targets vary across 194 countries, with only seven nations on track to meet four out of six targets. Moreover, no country is on track to halt the rise in adult obesity or achieve a 30% relative reduction in salt/sodium intake.
The Impact of Covid-19
The GNR indicates that the Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted progress towards achieving the global nutrition targets. Approximately 155 million more people have been pushed into extreme poverty worldwide, and individuals with diet-related chronic diseases are experiencing worse Covid-19 outcomes.
Lack of Progress in Diet Improvement
Over the last decade, there has been negligible progress in improving diets. Poor diets account for a quarter of all adult deaths. Currently, food production is responsible for over a third of all greenhouse gas emissions globally, and its environmental resource consumption is increasing.
Sustainable Development Goals Not Being Met
No region is currently on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals related to health and environmental burdens associated with diets and food systems.
India’s Nutrition Status
The GNR reveals that over half of Indian women aged 15-49 years are anaemic, a statistic that has risen since 2016. Furthermore, more than 17% of Indian children under five years old are affected by wasting, and India is among 23 countries that have made no progress in reducing this figure. Meanwhile, over 34% of children under five in India are stunted, but the country is one of 53 that are ‘on course’ to meet the stunting reduction target. India is also one of the 105 countries expected to meet the ‘childhood overweight’ target. In total, India is meeting seven out of thirteen global nutrition targets.
Suggestions for Improvement
The report suggests that substantially increased financial investments and efforts are needed to end malnutrition and poor diets. It recommends a comprehensive and sustainable approach to address these issues and promote a healthier future for all. It also calls for better data, increased accountability, and systematic monitoring to assess progress effectively.
Global Nutrition Report: An Overview
The Global Nutrition Report was first conceived following the Nutrition for Growth Initiative Summit in 2013, and the inaugural report was published in 2014. The report serves as a gauge of the world’s nutrition both globally and regionally. It evaluates efforts to improve it and is a multi-stakeholder initiative consisting of a Stakeholder Group, Independent Expert Group, and Report Secretariat.