India has the maximum number of malnourished children in the world – 1 in every 3 children is malnourished. The situation is extremely critical because the effects of malnutrition are irreversible if they occur at a young age. If not death, it leads to permanent disabilities that render the children challenged for the rest of their lives.
Malnutrition or lack of healthy sustenance was the essential reason behind 69 per cent of the passing of children under the age of five in India. Malnutrition or bad nourishment is a condition usually seen when the body is divested from its minimal daily requirements. The condition is more likely to occur in children which results in the underweight of the child. It is also present in adults where the primary reason is malabsorption, which is usually associated with a disease.
Starvation is also a form of malnutrition. In some parts of the world, famine is a primary cause of malnutrition and is endemic. Substantial improvements have been made in health and-well-being since India’s independence in 1947 but, still more than half of all children under the age of 4 are malnourished, 30% of new-borns are significantly underweight, and 60% of women are anaemic.
One way to fix the problem is to teach mothers about the right nutrition for their children or to incentivise them through conditional cash transfers. Distributing information is an important part of a solution, although it does not always lead to behavioural changes. But it might help in sensitising the people in a positive way.
Malnutrition is one such challenge that our country faces, but there are a plethora of such challenges. Although, our government has taken strict steps to tackle the problem it is still prevalent in many parts of India. We as the concerned citizens of India can help combat the situation from grassroots levels.
Wishes and Blessings is one such organisation that is helping in overcoming the daily challenges of hunger and malnutrition in our country. It provides daily meals to the underprivileged and does a lot of work to build a world with equal opportunities.
About the Author
A third-year English honours student, Rajandanani loves reading non-fiction books preferably those on religion. She enjoys travelling and having fun with family and friends, also exploring nightlife. A big foodie, she mostly eats street food and is a big shopaholic.
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