Question : Death due to Malnutrition

whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the UNICEF report "The State of the World''s Children 2019" which has pointed out that Malnutrition caused 69 per cent of deaths of children below the age of five in India;

(b) if so, the details thereof and Government''s reaction of the Government thereto:

(c) whether the Government has maintained any data regarding child mortality due to malnutrition; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) & (d) Malnutrition is not a direct cause of death among children under five years of age. It can increase morbidity and mortality by reducing resistance to infections. Malnourished children are more vulnerable to any infection than normal children. The overall under five mortality rate has reduced from 74.3 (NFHS-3) to 49.7 (NFHS-4) deaths per thousand live births.


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