Nutrition Challenge in India: A Comprehensive Overview

In the financial year 2025, two significant Indian government schemes, Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, have received increased funding, emphasizing nutrition as a priority. However, the broader nutrition challenge in India extends beyond food insecurity to encompass cultural, caste-based, and gender-related dietary habits.

Key Issues in Nutrition

• Focus on Specific Populations:
  1. The primary focus of national nutrition policies is on malnutrition among women and children.
  2. Neglect of nutrition issues among women outside reproductive age, men, and senior citizens.
• Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs):
  1. Rising cases of diabetes, hypertension, and other lifestyle-induced diseases.
  2. 24% of women and 23% of men are overweight or obese; 14% take diabetes medication.
• Malnutrition Statistics:
  1. According to National Family Health Survey-5, 36% of children under five are stunted.
  2. 57% of women aged 15-49 are anaemic.

Current Nutrition Schemes

• Poshan 2.0 and Saksham Anganwadi:
  1. Provide take-home rations, supplementary foods, and track severe malnutrition.
  2. Focus on aspirational districts and the north-east region.

Need for a Comprehensive Nutrition Agenda

• Broader Identification: Address nutrition needs beyond reproductive and child health.
• Local Solutions: Emphasize local food systems and locally embedded facilities.
• Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs):
  1. Expand nutrition services to all population segments.
  2. HWCs must be sufficient and evenly distributed.
  3. Require dedicated staff and systematic implementation of services.

Strategic Recommendations

• Local Engagement: Engage local elites and link nutrition practices with local cuisines.
• Comprehensive Approach: View health as overall wellbeing, not just the absence of illness.

In summary, addressing India's nutrition challenge requires a multifaceted approach that extends beyond current schemes, emphasizing local solutions and broadening the focus to include all demographic segments affected by nutritional deficiencies.