(a) whether various surveys have revealed that women and children are the worst sufferers of malnutrition in both rural and urban areas of the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government propose to start a National Nutrition Mission to prevent malnutrition amongst women and children; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the present status thereof?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT (DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The latest National Family Health Survey (1998-99)
revealed that 47% of children under 3 years of age were
underweight and 74.3% were suffering from nutritional
anaemia.
As regards women of 15-49 years, 35.8% suffered from
Chronic Energy Deficiency and 51.8% from Nutritional
Anaemia.
(c) Yes, Sir.
(d) The details of the Mission have not yet been finalised.