The number of undernourished people in India has declined by 60 million, from 21.7 per cent in 2004-06 to 14 per cent in 2017-19, according to a UN report.

The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report said that there were less stunted children but more obese adults in India.

The report said that the number of undernourished people in India declined from 249.4 million in 2004-06 to 189.2 million in 2017-19.

In percentage terms, the prevalence of undernourishment in the total population in India declined from 21.7 per cent in 2004-06 to 14 per cent in 2017-19, it said.

The report said that almost 690 million people globally were undernourished in 2019, up by 10 million from 2018.

The two subregions showing reductions in undernourishment — eastern and southern Asia — are dominated by the two largest economies of the continent — China and India.

“Despite very different conditions, histories and rates of progress, the reduction in hunger in both the countries stems from long-term economic growth, reduced inequality, and improved access to basic goods and services,” it said.

The report further said that the prevalence of stunting in children under five  years of age in India declined from 47.8 per cent in 2012 to 34.7 per cent in 2019 or from 62 million in 2012 to 40.3 million in 2019.

More Indian adults became obese between 2012-16, it said.

The number of adults (18 years and older) who are obese grew from 25.2 million in 2012 to 34.3 million in 2016, from 3.1 per cent to 3.9 per cent.

The number of women of reproductive age (15-49) affected by anaemia grew from 165.6 million in 2012 to 175.6 million in 2016.

Poshan Abhiyaan

There are a number of schemes in India aimed at improving the nutritional status of children (0-6 years) as well as pregnant women and lactating mothers. In spite of these, the level of malnutrition and related problems in the country is high. The lack of synergy between schemes to achieve a common goal has been blamed. Poshan Abhiyaan through robust convergence mechanism and other components would strive to create the synergy.

Modi launched the Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) in March 2018.

It is a multi-ministerial convergence mission with the vision to ensure attainment of a malnutrition-free India by 2022.

The objective of the scheme is to reduce stunting in identified districts of India with the highest malnutrition burden by improving utilisation of key anganwadi services and improving its quality.

It aims to ensure holistic development and adequate nutrition for pregnant women, mothers and children.

The ministry of women and child development is implementing Poshan Abhiyaan in 315 districts in the first year, 235 districts in the second year and the remaining districts will be covered in the third year.

The Poshan Abhiyaan will monitor, supervise, fix targets and guide nutrition-related interventions across the ministries.

The campaign seeks to synergise efforts of key stakeholders by leveraging technology and intends to take nutrition awareness to the level of Jan Andolan or people’s movement.

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