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India is growing by leaps and bounds in every sphere. It is counted amongst the most promising economies of the world. However, it is still to catch up with its peers when it comes to tackling undernutrition. According to a Lancet study, India was ranked at 118 in terms of the lowest deaths related to diet. Also, a report by The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reveals that about 14.5% of the total population is undernourished.
To tackle these problems and create awareness among the people about the importance of nutrition and a healthy diet, the government of India has been celebrating the National Nutrition Week in September for nearly four decades now. We tell you five things about National Nutrition Week that you should know-.
What is National Nutrition Week?
National Nutrition Week is organised by the Ministry of Women and Child development to raise awareness about the importance of nutrition for a healthy body.
When is the National Nutrition Week celebrated?
The National Nutrition Week is celebrated in the first week of September from 1st to the 7th.
What is the aim of celebrating the National Nutrition Week?
A healthy population is essential for the growth of a nation. Proper nutrition is vital for staying healthy. Hence, the National Nutrition Week is celebrated to highlight the importance of nutrition for a healthy population which can ultimately lead to increased productivity and ultimately, the development of the nation.
How is National Nutrition Week celebrated?
The government specifies a theme for the Nutritional week every year. While the Nutrition Week theme for the year 2017 was ‘Optimal Infant & Young Child Feeding Practices: Better Child Health’ and that for 2018 was ‘Go Further with Food,’ the theme of the National Nutrition Week 2020 is yet to be declared.
The Food and Nutrition Board organizes workshops, awareness drives, and meetings via its Community Food and Nutrition Extension Units (CFNEUs) located throughout the country. The CFNEUs hold workshops, seminars, films and exhibitions in association with the state governments and NGOs throughout the week tackling all things concerning nutrition. These workshops and seminarscoverimmunization, vaccination, breastfeeding, sanitization, and hygiene, among others.
Why does India need to pay more attention to improve its nutritional status?
Here are some reasons for India to redouble its efforts to improve its nutritional status
- India has almost one-third of the total stunted children in the world according to ‘The Global Nutrition Report 2018’.
- Wasting, another term for the low weight for height is used as a mortality predictor for children under five. It results from an acute shortage of food or diseases. India is home to about 25.5 million children out of the 50.5 million children wasted globally according to ‘The Global Nutrition Report 2018’.
- The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) survey has found out that in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Dadra & Nagar Haveli more than 40% of the children are stunted.
- Breastfeeding has been proven as a useful tool to counter malnutrition. Yet, according to the NFHS-4, only 54.9% of babies are breastfed.
- Anemia in mothers has been claimed to be linked to malnourished children. As per a United Nations report, about 51.4% of women in reproductive age in India are anemic.
The National Nutrition Week is thus an important initiative that is aimed at increasing awareness and tackling this significant problem faced by India.
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