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A recent study published in Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health sheds light on the progress and ongoing challenges in addressing undernutrition among Indian children under the age of three. By analyzing data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) over nearly three decades, researchers assessed changes in key undernutrition indicators, such as wasting, stunting, and underweight, at both the national and state levels.
Mixed Trends in Malnutrition Indicators
The study compared data from NFHS-1 (1992–93) and NFHS-5 (2019–21), revealing mixed progress. Wasting, defined as low weight-for-height, increased marginally from 19.9% to 20.5%. On the other hand, stunting (impaired growth) and underweight incidence saw reductions, with stunting decreasing from 51.9% to 45.8% and underweight prevalence dropping from 34.1% to 29.4%. Despite these improvements, the minimal increase in wasting (+0.21%) underscores its persistent nature.
Risk Factors and Gender Disparities
The findings highlighted gender disparities, with male children at a higher risk of stunting, underweight, and wasting compared to females. Maternal education emerged as a critical determinant of child nutrition. Children of mothers with little or no education faced double the risk of undernutrition. Those whose mothers had completed secondary education still faced a 1.5 times higher likelihood of stunting or being underweight.
Regional Variations
Significant regional disparities were also observed. In NFHS-1, stunting prevalence ranged from 33.2% in Nagaland to 63.8% in Bihar. By NFHS-5, the range had narrowed, with stunting prevalence ranging from 23.1% in Manipur to 41.6% in Meghalaya.
Underweight prevalence showed similar trends. In NFHS-1, Bihar had the highest prevalence at 60.2%, while Mizoram reported the lowest at 19.7%. By NFHS-5, the highest underweight prevalence was 39.7% in Bihar, and the lowest was 11.6% in Manipur. Wasting prevalence varied widely, with Rajasthan reporting the highest rates during NFHS-1 (26.8%) and Maharashtra during NFHS-5 (27.7%). Punjab recorded the lowest wasting prevalence in the most recent survey at 11.4%.
Implications for Policy and Action
The study underscores the evolving trends in child malnutrition across India. While declines in stunting and underweight prevalence signal progress, the stagnant and slightly increasing prevalence of wasting suggests the need for targeted interventions. Regional variations highlight the importance of localized strategies to address state-specific challenges.
Experts stress that improving maternal education, ensuring equitable access to nutrition programs, and addressing regional disparities are critical to achieving India’s nutrition goals. As India continues its fight against child malnutrition, the findings from this study provide valuable insights to guide future policies and initiatives.
