Malnutrition & hunger is a fact - don't deny

The severe levels of malnutrition in India are impacting a large section of population. Urgent action warranted.

 Malnutrition & hunger is a fact - don't deny

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Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

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• Height of man: In general, lower heights are associated with poor nutrition, and also low cognitive abilities.
• Global Hunger Rankings: India slipped to the 101st position on 2021 GHI rankings, behind Pakistan (92nd), B'desh and Nepal (both 76th), from 94 in 2020.

1. GHI measures four indicators -undernourishment, children with low weight for height (Wasting), low height for age (Stunting), and child mortality (< 5 yrs).
2. Covid also hit India badly.

• Another study more worrisome: A Sept 2021 study in PLOS (Public Library of Science) showed that Indian men were getting shorter! Over 15 years, the 15-25 age group was shorter by 1.1 cm, and 26-50 by 0.86 cm. Data used was from NFHS, collected each decade (2005-06, 2015-16), and for adults. More than 60000 and 105000 men were measured, resp.
• Global trend versus India: Men are either growing taller everywhere, or stagnating, but not decreasing. It's so due to rising incomes and standards of living. Height does depend on genes, but food intake, access, health services matter a lot.

1. Malnutrition and undernutrition during early years causes stunting in adolescence
2. Heights don't change quickly, naturally, like life expectancy does not
3. Comparing Oman and Holland, the difference in heights was attributed to access and use of healthcare (despite both having similar per capita incomes). Holland and Oman spend 9.2% and 3.7% of GDP on healthcare (India spent 3.5% in 2018)
4. Better healthcare in sub-Saharan Africa is leading to a reverse trend - lower average height. Why? Because less health children are now surviving till adulthood, pulling down average heights.

• Protein types: Animal proteins are far better than plant proteins, and the stark difference in heights of Dutch and Koreans shows that. (both high HDI nations)

1. Egg and milk are much better compared to peanuts, lentils, wheat, chickpeas
2. Poorer castes and classes in India are much shorter than their richer counterparts (a trend which can be reversed, as seen in 19th c. England)

• Real situation: Sadly, India is not moving towards safer, more nourishing and sufficient food for all. Multiple types of malnourishment persist - vitamins and minerals, underweightedness, stunting and wasting, obesity and diet-related NCDs. India needs to do something drastic to change this situation.
• Solutions: More animal proteins, more diversified food, better use of money in healthcare, and moving away from ultra-processed foods is needed. The GHI study proves things need to change. Incomes of poorer groups need protection.
• EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) Explain why the average heights in India are reducing with time, and not rising. What is the link with Global Hunger Index 2021? (2) In what ways is the government of India denying the findings of the global hunger index report? Explain. (3) Suggest a detailed plan to end the problem of malnutrition in India.

Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

#health #nutrition #PDS #heights

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