Context : Budget 2025 and Nutrition Focus
- While health was not prioritized, Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 received higher allocations.
- Question: Will these schemes address India’s nutrition crisis effectively?
Relevance : GS 2(Nutrition Security)
Multidimensional Nature of Malnutrition
- Beyond food insecurity, nutrition is influenced by culture, caste, and gender.
- Policy focus is narrow, emphasizing women (reproductive age) and children, ignoring:
- Women beyond reproductive age, men, and senior citizens.
- Rising cases of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity (NCDs).
Key Nutrition Statistics (NFHS-5)
- 36% of children under five are stunted; only 11% of breastfed children get an adequate diet.
- 57% of women (15-49 years) are anaemic.
- 24% of women and 23% of men are overweight/obese; 14% take diabetes medication.
Evaluating Poshan 2.0 and Saksham Anganwadi
- Focus on take-home rations, supplements, and iron/folic acid tablets.
- Shortcomings:
- Reinforces regional bias (malnutrition seen as a rural problem).
- Ignores middle-class dietary habits, NCDs, and urban malnutrition.
Need for a Comprehensive Nutrition Agenda
- Should include:
- Addressing all population groups, not just maternal and child health.
- Locally rooted solutions using nutrient-rich indigenous foods.
- Institutional linkage via Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs).
Strengthening HWCs for Nutrition Services
- Expand coverage to adolescents, elderly, and urban poor.
- Ensure equitable distribution (currently rural-heavy).
- Need for dedicated nutrition personnel, as current staff handle multiple responsibilities.
Key Success Factors
- Community Ownership: Engage local elites for awareness and acceptance.
- Linking Nutrition to Local Cuisines: Promote indigenous, nutrient-dense foods over processed diets.
