(a) whether the number of malnourished children in the country is twice the number of malnourished children
in the Sub-Saharan Africa;
(b) if so, the details thereof including the percentage of malnourished children in the country; and
(c) the concrete measures taken by the Government to eradicate nutritional deficiency in the children?
THE MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY
OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. ANBUMANI RAMADOSS)
(a)to(c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 237 FOR
29TH AUGUST, 2007
According to National Family Health Survey (NFHS-III), 2005-06, 46% children under three years of age are underweight
and 38% are stunted in our country.As per the UNICEF Report entitled `The State of the World`s Children 2007`, 28%
children underfive are underweight and 37% are stunted in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Malnutrition/under-nutrition is a multi-faceted problem. The important determinants are inadequate food, levels of poverty,
female illiteracy, high rate of population growth, repeated pregnancies, environmental, sanitation, hygiene and other such
conditions.The nutritional issues are being addressed by several ministries through several programs that are administered
by the Government. Some of the targeted interventions being made in this regard are emphasis on appropriate food for infants
and young child feeding, specific programs for prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies, supplementary nutrition
through Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS), national program of nutritional support to primary education
(Mid-day Meal Program).Government is also trying to address the problem of mal-nutrition through the targeted public
distribution system (PDS) by making essential food items available at subsidized costs and also through several income generating
schemes to improve the purchasing power.