Challenge
Fighting malnutrition in a complex and diverse country like ours is an arduous task. Despite sustained efforts, India’s success in combating malnutrition has been modest and slower than other countries with comparable socio-economic indicators. To make a real and sustainable impact, challenges need to be tackled at three different levels:
- The food itself: Deficiency of essential micronutrients such as iron, iodine, and vitamins (A, B12, D), also known as ‘hidden hunger’ is a rampant issue in our country. India reports the largest burden of iron-deficiency anaemia, globally, with nearly 59% of children and 50% of pregnant women being anaemic (NFHS 4 report). Deficiency of iodine is another major public health concern. 5% of the population in 337 districts in India have iodine deficiency disorders and have been reported endemic. Many rural populations also continue to bear the burden of diseases caused by the deficiency of vitamins A, B12 and D. In addition to micronutrient deficiency, access to hygienic, wholesome and nutritious food still continues to be a challenge, especially for children in certain tribal belts of the country.
- Programme and processes: In a country of a 1.3 billion, with a whopping 66 percent rural populace, implementing nutrition schemes and programmes is an uphill task. Therefore, programme parameters that impact anthropometric (the scientific study of the measurements and proportions of the human body) outcomes must be identified, defined and optimised. The failure to do so can have detrimental effects on the final goals of the programme and hence can keep the population in the vicious cycle of malnutrition.
- Policy: The vastness of our country and the sheer size of the population make it challenging for policymakers to develop data-driven nutrition policies. Developing high-impact, data-backed nutrition policies needs all stakeholders to come together. Collaboration technologies and processes are the need of the hour.