Child Nutrition Report, 2024
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: Government Policies and Intervention/ Health
- •Source: UNICEF*
Context: UNICEF has released its Child Nutrition Report 2024, highlighting the severe level of Child Food Poverty globally.
What is Child Food Poverty (CFP)?
The inability of children, especially in early childhood (first five years), to access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet.
Source of Image: UNICEF Report
Key Findings of the Report:
• Prevalence: 27% of children globally; 40% in India (2nd highest in South Asia).
• Systemic Failure: CFP results from failing governance systems, not failing families.
• Poor Diet: Rise in unhealthy food consumption replacing nutrient-rich options.
• Income and CFP: Affects both poor and non-poor households, showing income isn’t the sole factor.
• Slow Progress: Global efforts are slow in ending CFP
• Diet Quality: Children in severe CFP lack nutrient-rich foods; unhealthy foods dominate.
• Crisis Impact: Global food/nutrition crises, conflicts, and climate shocks worsen CFP.
• Undernutrition Link: Higher CFP correlates with higher stunting rates.
• Drivers: Poor food environments, poor feeding practices, climate crisis and household income poverty.
Status of CFP in India:
• Prevalence of Malnutrition (NFHS-5): Children Under 5: 35.5% stunted, 19.3% wasted, 32.1% underweight, 3% overweight
• Prevalence of Anaemia: Pregnant Women (15-49 years): 52.2%; Children (6-59 months): 67.1%
• State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World Report (2023): Diet Affordability: 74% of the population cannot afford a healthy diet; 39% lack a nutrient-adequate diet.
• Global Hunger Index (2023): GHI Score: 28.7 (serious); Child Wasting Rate: 18.7% (highest in the report)
Consequences of CFP in India
• Health Implications: Stunted Growth; Weakened Immune System; Micronutrient Deficiencies
• Educational Consequences: Cognitive Impairment; Higher School Dropout Rates
• Economic Impact: Productivity Loss; Increased Healthcare Costs
• Inter-generational Impact: Maternal and Child Health Issues; Long-term Health Effects
• Social Consequences: Increased Vulnerability; Stigma and Discrimination
• Impact on National Development: Reduced Human Capital; Increased Healthcare Burden
Key Challenges in Handling CFP in India
• Economic Inequality: 74% can’t afford a healthy diet.
• Inadequate Dietary Intake: Shift to low-quality, processed foods lacking essential nutrients.
• Poor Sanitation: Only 69% use improved sanitation facilities.
• Lack of Health Infrastructure: Low doctor (0.73) and nurse (1.74) density per 1000 people.
• Delayed/Inconsistent Delivery: Only 50.3% of children receive Anganwadi services.
• Inadequate Monitoring: Poor assessment of program effectiveness.
Initiatives taken by India:
Initiative | Description
Mission Poshan 2.0 | Focuses on improving maternal nutrition and child feeding norms, integrating multiple schemes.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme | Provides food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children under 6 and their mothers.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY) | Offers financial incentives to pregnant and lactating mothers for health and nutrition.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM Poshan) | Supplies nutritious meals to school children; introduces millets to enhance dietary diversity.
Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) | Aims to improve the nutritional and health status of adolescent girls.
Mother’s Absolute Affection (MAA) | Promotes breastfeeding to improve child health and nutrition.
Poshan Vatikas | Establishes nutrition gardens to provide locally grown nutritious food for children and mothers.
Recommendations of the Child Nutrition Report 2024:
• Enhance data systems to assess CFP severity.
• Reform food systems to make nutritious foods accessible, affordable, and desirable.
• Utilize health systems for essential nutrition services, including child feeding counselling.
• Transform food, health, and social protection systems for children.
What more needs to be done:
• Fortification: Add essential nutrients to staple foods (e.g., iodised salt).
• SBCC Plan: Develop a targeted Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) plan.
• Healthcare Infrastructure: Improve facilities, especially in rural areas; train healthcare workers.
• Monitoring: Use robust systems like the Poshan Tracker for real-time data.
• Local Foods: Promote consumption of nutritious, locally available foods.
• Community Empowerment: Involve communities in nutrition programs.
• Communication: Use local languages and various channels (radio, videos, outreach).
Insta Links:
• Acute malnutrition risking 30 million children’s lives
Mains Links:
How far do you agree with the view that the focus on lack of availability of food as the main cause of hunger takes the attention away from ineffective human development policies in India? (UPSC 2018)
Prelims Links:
Which of the following is/are the indicators/ indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? (UPSC 2016)
• Undernourishment
• Child stunting
• Child mortality
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 1 and 3 only
Ans: C