UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 17 March 2025

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Tackling the problem of nutrition

Why in News:

India’s nutrition crisis extends beyond food insecurity to include diet diversity, rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and hidden hunger, requiring a comprehensive and inclusive nutrition strategy beyond existing government schemes.

Introduction

India faces a dual burden of malnutrition—on one hand, a significant proportion of the population suffers from undernutrition, while on the other, lifestyle-induced non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and obesity are on the rise.
Despite the launch of various nutrition-focused schemes like Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, malnutrition remains a public health challenge affecting people across different age groups, economic strata, and regions.
While the Union Budget 2025 did not prioritize overall healthcare, it increased allocations for nutrition schemes.
However, existing policies continue to focus primarily on women and children in select regions, overlooking the broader, multi-dimensional nature of nutrition insecurity in India.

Current Status of Nutrition in India

Malnutrition and Micronutrient Deficiencies

According to the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5):
- 36% of children under five are stunted (low height for age).
- 57% of women aged 15-49 suffer from anaemia.
- Only 11% of breastfed children (6-23 months) receive an adequate diet.

Rising Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

24% of women and 23% of men in India are overweight or obese.
14% of the population is on medication for diabetes.
Processed foods, high in sugar and trans fats, are replacing nutrient-dense, fiber-rich traditional diets.

Regional and Social Disparities

Malnutrition is commonly associated with rural poverty, but urban areas also suffer from hidden hunger (micronutrient deficiencies) due to unhealthy food habits.
Gender, caste, and cultural factors impact dietary choices and food security, particularly in marginalized communities.

Existing Nutrition Schemes and Their Limitations

Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0
- Provides take-home rations, supplementary food, and tracking of severe malnutrition cases.
- Focuses primarily on pregnant and lactating mothers and children.
- Limited impact on adolescents, men, senior citizens, and individuals with NCDs.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM-POSHAN)
- Targets school-going children, providing nutritious meals.
- Faces implementation challenges, especially in quality control and inclusion of diverse food groups.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
- Focuses on early childhood nutrition, maternal health, and immunization.
- Lacks a comprehensive approach covering all segments of the population.

Limitations of Existing Schemes:

Focuses only on food security, ignoring broader determinants like diet diversity, affordability, and accessibility.
Limited institutional support for nutrition education.
Overlooks adults, elderly, and urban poor who are equally vulnerable.

Need for a Comprehensive Nutrition Agenda

To address India’s multifaceted nutrition crisis, policymakers must shift from a targeted approach to a universal, community-driven model. This agenda must focus on three key areas:

Expanding Nutrition Coverage Beyond Women and Children

- Recognizing the nutrition needs of men, senior citizens, and those with NCDs.
- Addressing hidden hunger caused by micronutrient deficiencies.
- Introducing workplace nutrition programs for urban workers.

Strengthening Local Food Systems and Dietary Practices

- Promoting traditional and locally available, nutrient-dense foods to combat rising consumption of processed foods.
- Incorporating millets, pulses, leafy greens, and regional superfoods into government nutrition programs.
- Encouraging kitchen gardens and community-based food production.

Leveraging Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) for Nutrition Services

- HWCs must play a central role in delivering nutrition services to all age groups.
- Expanding nutrition counseling and screening for deficiencies at primary healthcare facilities.
- Ensuring uniform distribution of HWCs across both rural and urban areas.

Role of Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) in Nutrition Implementation

The Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) have the potential to become the main institutional mechanism for implementing nutrition services.

Challenges in Current HWC Implementation:

Uneven distribution, with some rural areas having more HWCs than urban areas.
Limited nutrition services, primarily focusing on pregnant women and lactating mothers.
Lack of dedicated nutrition personnel—nutrition remains a minor part of multipurpose workers’ responsibilities.

Way Forward for HWCs:

HWCs should provide nutrition advice for all populations, including adolescents, elderly, and patients recovering from illness.
Integration of dietary counseling into routine health check-ups.
Expansion of nutrition outreach programs, focusing on urban slums and remote tribal areas.

Factors for Successful Implementation

Engaging Local Leadership and Institutions
- Public health initiatives succeed when they have local ownership.
- Lessons from smallpox vaccination campaigns show that interventions gain acceptance when they are endorsed by community leaders.
- Encouraging panchayats, local NGOs, and religious leaders to advocate for better nutrition.
Promoting Region-Specific Dietary Practices
- Diversity in food habits across India must be respected while formulating nutrition policies.
- Government programs should integrate traditional recipes using local, low-cost, high-nutrient foods.
Strengthening Data Collection and Monitoring
- Improving nutrition surveillance systems to track real-time dietary deficiencies and disease patterns.
- Encouraging digital tracking of malnutrition cases for timely intervention.

Conclusion

India’s nutrition challenge is not just about food insecurity but also about diet quality and diversity. While government schemes like Poshan 2.0 and Saksham Anganwadi play a role, they remain limited in scope. A comprehensive, inclusive, and community-driven nutrition strategy is required, focusing on all segments of society, leveraging Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs), and integrating local food systems.