New Delhi: Only six per cent children in the age group of six to 23 months receive proper nutrition, said a recent study on the eve of World Health Day.
As per recent data released by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), many children are still struggling to get a proper diet crucial for their development. Four out of the five worst performing states are from North India. While the national figure is startling, many major states report even lower numbers reflecting the appalling status on the ground. The national capital, being the centre of power, ideally should have had better status. However, only six per cent of children in this age group receive proper nutrition.
Meanwhile, Rajasthan sits at the bottom, where a measly three per cent children in the said age group receive adequate diet. Not much different is the state of affairs in Uttar Pradesh, where this figure stands at 5 per cent approximately. Even Tamil Nadu, which has the highest percentage of children receiving adequate nutrition, the number does not cross 31 per cent.
“Deprived of a healthy start, millions of these children will bear the impact of this under-nutrition not just in early years of their childhood, but throughout their lives. Illness in children and lack of adequate and appropriate nutrition is a vicious cycle which needs constant attention through preventive as well as promotive approaches,” said the NGO, Child Rights and You (CRY).
It added that given the dismal state of maternal care in the country, it is likely that the impact on the health of the child started right from their mothers’ womb given the direct linkage. 50 per cent of the pregnant women (15-49 years) were found to be anaemic according to NFHS-4 and only 21 per cent received complete antenatal care. Poor health of mothers adversely affects the physical and cognitive development of the child, rendering a very poor start to life along with lifelong implications. “The Integrated Child Development scheme, which addresses the nutritional needs of children in an early age (under 6) and of expectant mothers, has the right intent to ensure a solid foundation for children when maximum brain development occurs,” said a CRY official.
