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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Improve nutritional content of school meals to tackle stunting - Soumya Swaminathan and SV Subramanian

Improve nutritional content of school meals to tackle stunting - Soumya Swaminathan and SV Subramanian

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published Published on Nov 7, 2017   modified Modified on Nov 7, 2017
-Hindustan Times

As per the latest National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau, which has been collecting data on diet and nutritional status of rural, tribal and urban populations for almost four decades, the calorie intake of children (1-3 years) in rural areas was only about 70% of their requirement due to shortage.

In India, more than 4.8 crore children suffer from stunting, which means they are below the normal height range for their age group. The consequences of stunting are immediate and lifelong, ranging from learning disabilities, reduced earning opportunities, and increased disease risks in adulthood.

The causes of stunting are well known: Lack of adequate nutrition; contaminated drinking water and poor sanitation; inadequate access to health care facilities; delayed treatment of infections; low parental socioeconomic and educational status (especially of the mother).

A comparison of data from India’s National Family Health Survey 1 and 4 shows a reduction in stunting from 52% in 1992-93 to 38% in 2015-16. The single biggest factor behind this is improved access to primary health facilities, focusing on maternal and child health including immunisation.

To increase the pace of change, first, India needs to make nutritious food more affordable and accessible to poor families. As per the latest National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau, which has been collecting data on diet and nutritional status of rural, tribal and urban populations for almost four decades, the calorie intake of children (1-3 years) in rural areas was only about 70% of their requirement due to shortage. For example, take milk, a vital source of nutrition for physical and brain development in young children. While India is a leader in milk production globally, substantial shortfalls in consumption persist, especially in poor communities.

This shortfall could be tackled by establishing “milk stations”. This was a key strategy in the US in the early 20th century to improve the nutritional status of its population. Further, the intake of good quality protein and micronutrients are missing in the diet of the poor, which is largely cereal based. This deficiency could be addressed by adding pulses and millets and milk, eggs, fruits and vegetables in the food basket of the poor.

Swachh Bharat, a key to Swastha Bharat

A clean India will also be critical for a healthy India. Access to clean drinking water and sanitation facilities reduces risks of water-borne infectious diseases, and thus enables children to absorb their food better. While building a functional toilet for every household and motivating them to use these toilets are crucial, what is equally important is the safe disposal and treatment of human excreta. Currently, less than 20% of the human waste is treated before it enters the water bodies, which is again recycled for human consumption.

Is there a silver lining?

The situation may look dismal but a study done in 1992 by researchers at the Uppsala University in Sweden shows that the window to eliminate stunting is far wider than that was thought. Between 1969 and 1987, 27,000 children were adopted by Swedish foster parents from across the world, including 114 Indian children (aged three months to six-years) who moved to Sweden in 1985. The study followed these 114 and found that at the time of their arrival in Sweden, 47% were stunted, but the move brought a striking change in them. In less than two years, this figure dropped to 4%. Even children beyond two years saw equally stunning increases in their height when they moved to Sweden. This means that even as sustained efforts must be made to prevent stunting among all children, it is also possible to help older children who are suffering from stunting.

Please click here to read more.

Hindustan Times, 6 November, 2017, http://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/improve-nutritional-content-of-school-meals-to-tackle-stunting/story-NI9v20GEoBSnxwOh28ZUpI.html


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