Malnutrition is a global concern that manifests as either deficiencies, excesses in nutrient intake, imbalance of essential nutrients, or impaired nutrient utilization. The scope of malnutrition includes Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM), National Family Health Surveys (NFHS), the Global Hunger Index, and POSHAN Abhiyaan. The recent directive from the Orissa High Court to the State government aims at eradicating SAM children and reducing MAM children by 50% by the end of 2023.
Understanding Malnutrition
Malnutrition can be classified into two main categories: undernutrition and overweight/obesity, leading to noncommunicable diseases. Undernutrition further breaks down into wasting, stunting, underweight, and micronutrient deficiencies.
Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)
Defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO), SAM relates to extremely low weight-for-height, a mid-upper arm circumference less than 115 mm, or nutritional oedema. These children have weakened immune systems and are nine times more likely to succumb to diseases.
Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM)
Also known as wasting, MAM is defined by a weight-for-height indicator between -3 and -2 z-scores of the international standard. Children with MAM are malnourished but not immediately at risk of death.
India’s Place in the Global Hunger Index
India scores poorly on the Global Hunger Index (2022), ranking 107th out of 121 countries. Factors contributing to this rank include child stunting, wasting, and mortality rates. National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) data reveals that among children under five years, 35.5% were stunted, 19.3% were wasted, and 32.1% were underweight.
Government Initiatives Against Malnutrition
Several governmental programs aim to combat malnutrition. These include POSHAN Abhiyaan, Mid-day Meal (MDM) scheme, National Food Security Act (NFSA), Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, and Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.
Ways Towards Improvement
Addressing malnutrition involves strategic investments in health and nutrition services, particularly for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, the elderly, young children, and special needs individuals. India needs to adopt an outcome-oriented approach for the implementation of nutrition programs, focusing on achieving specific results rather than mere activity execution.
Understanding Global Hunger Index Indicators
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) uses several indicators to calculate the Global Hunger Index, including undernourishment, child stunting, and child mortality.
Lack of Food Availability vs Ineffective Human Development Policies
There is a prevalent view that the focus on sheer availability of food as the primary cause of hunger detracts attention from ineffective human development policies in India. The argument suggests that a comprehensive approach, which encompasses both food availability and effective policies, is crucial in tackling hunger and malnutrition.