Question : Nutritional Status of Senior Citizens

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5514
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2022

NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF SENIOR CITIZENS
5514. SHRI BRIJBHUSHAN SHARAN SINGH:
SHRI P.P. CHAUDHARY:
SHRI KESINENI SRINIVAS:
SHRI MAHENDRA SINGH SOLANKY:

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

(a) the percentage of the population of the senior citizens at present and the details of the estimated population of senior citizens in the year 2036;
(b) whether the Government has monitored the nutrition status of senior citizens in the country and if so, the details thereof along with any discrepancies noted by the Government;
(c) whether the Government believes that by improving the nutritional status of senior citizens through interventions will help them to strengthen their immunity against diseases in view of their advancing age and if so, the action taken thereon; and
(d) whether the Government proposes to launch any scheme aimed at strengthening the nutritional levels of senior citizens, if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SUSHRI PRATIMA BHOUMIK)


(a): As per the census 2011, the number of senior citizens was 8.4% of the total population. The ‘Report of the Technical Group on population projections- July 2020’ by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has projected increase in the population of senior citizens from 13.75 crore (10.1% of total population) in 2021 to 22.74 crore (14.9% of total population) in 2036.

(b): The “Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI)” Wave-1 (2017-18) report of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has assessed the nutrition status of senior citizens in the country.
The Report says that in India, more than a quarter of elderly age 60 and above are underweight (27%) and a fifth of elderly are overweight/obese (22%), indicating a dual burden of undernutrition and overnutrition among elderly in India.




(c): To create awareness among elderly population and their family members the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has developed Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials including nutritional aspects in elder age group {under National Programme for the Health Care for the Elderly (NPHCE)} and shared with States/UTs.

(d): The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is already implementing a scheme of Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens under which grant in aid is provided to implementing agencies like NGOs, Voluntary Organisations for running and maintenance of senior citizen homes, continuous care homes. Nutrition, shelter, health care, cloth, entertainment etc. are provided to indigent senior citizens living in such homes, for healthy ageing.

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