Tackling the Problem of Nutrition in India

Context: Although health was not a priority in Budget 2025, the increased allocations for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 suggest a stronger focus on nutrition in the coming financial year. However, it remains uncertain whether this will effectively address India’s nutrition challenge.

Challenges Associated with Nutrition in India

• Narrow Policy Focus: Nutrition policy primarily targets malnutrition among women and children, neglecting other groups such as men, senior citizens, and non-reproductive age women.
  • Lifestyle-induced non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension are not adequately addressed under nutrition programmes.
• High Malnutrition Rates:
  • 36% of children under five are stunted.
  • Only 11% of breastfed children (6–23 months) receive an adequate diet.
  • 57% of women (15–49 years) are anaemic.
• Rising Lifestyle-Induced NCDs:
  • 24% of women and 23% of men in India are overweight or obese.
  • 14% of the population takes medication for diabetes.
• Limited Reach of Existing Schemes: Poshan 2.0 and Saksham Anganwadi focus mainly on take-home rations and supplementary food.
  • They target aspirational districts and the northeastern region, reinforcing the perception that malnutrition is a regional issue.
• Inadequate Primary Health Infrastructure: Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) are unevenly distributed, with some rural areas having higher coverage than urban areas.
  • Nutrition services in HWCs are inconsistent and poorly implemented.
• Lack of Dedicated Nutrition Staff: HWCs lack dedicated staff for delivering nutrition services.
  • Nutrition forms only a small part of the responsibilities of multi-purpose health workers.

Ways to Strengthen Nutrition in India

• Broaden the Scope of Nutrition Policy: Expand focus beyond women and children to include men, senior citizens, and individuals with lifestyle-induced diseases.
  • Tackle both undernutrition (due to food insecurity) and poor nutrition (due to unhealthy diets).
• Strengthen Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs): Increase the number of HWCs, especially in urban areas.
  • Equip HWCs to provide comprehensive nutrition services to all segments of society.
  • Ensure HWCs provide consistent nutrition advice for pregnant and lactating mothers, children, the elderly, and those recovering from disease or trauma.
• Engage Local Resources and Institutions: Use locally available, nutrient-rich produce in supplementary nutrition programmes.
  • Encourage low-cost, culturally acceptable food options for better community acceptance.
• Dedicated Nutrition Workforce: Appoint specialised nutrition workers at HWCs.
  • Train staff to provide tailored nutrition advice and monitor outcomes.
• Community Engagement and Local Ownership: Involve local elites and community leaders in nutrition campaigns.
  • Link nutrition practices with local cuisines to improve acceptance and adherence.
  • Promote traditional dietary habits alongside modern nutrition advice.
• Expand and Diversify Nutrition Programmes: Develop targeted nutrition programmes for lifestyle diseases like diabetes and hypertension.
  • Offer school-based nutrition education and expand mid-day meal programmes.

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