Lok Sabha Question No. 1918 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Impact of Hidden Hunger
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1918 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06-12-2024

## IMPACT OF HIDDEN HUNGER

## 1918. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of HEALTH & FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any study to assess the impact of hidden hunger across different age groups in the Country;
- (b) if so, the percentage of people affected by hidden hunger across different age groups;
- (c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to tackle hidden hunger; and
- (d) whether the Government promotes awareness on hidden hunger through advocacy programs, if so,
- the details thereof ?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) to (d) The Government has accorded high priority to the issue of malnutrition and is implementing several schemes/programmes of different Ministries/Departments through States/UTs to address various aspects related to nutrition which includes Anaemia Mukt Bharat (AMB), Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs), Mothers' Absolute Affection (MAA) Program, Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSNDs), Mother and Child Protection Card, National Deworming Day (NDD), Lactation Management Centres, Calcium Supplementation, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram(JSSK), Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK), National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013 and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY).

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched Mission Poshan 2.0. Under the Mission Poshan 2.0, a strategic shift has been made for reduction in malnutrition and for improved health, wellness and immunity through community engagement, outreach, behavioral change and advocacy. Mission Poshan 2.0 focuses on Maternal Nutrition, Infant and Young Child Feeding Norms, treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM)/ Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and wellness through AYUSH practices to reduce wasting, underweight prevalence, stunting and anaemia. Immunization,

Health Check-up and Referral Services to the beneficiaries are supported by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Under Mission Poshan 2.0, one of the major activities undertaken is Community Mobilization and Awareness Advocacy leading to Jan Andolan to educate the people on nutritional aspects. State and UTs are conducting and reporting regular sensitisation activities under community engagement programmes during Poshan Maahs and Poshan Pakhwadas celebrated in the months of September and March-April respectively. Community Based Events (CBEs) have served as a significant strategy in changing nutrition practices and all Anganwadi workers are required to conduct two Community Based Events every month.

The Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana (PM POSHAN) under Ministry of Education, provides one hot cooked meal in Government and Government-aided schools as per nutrition norms under Schedule II of National Food Security Act, 2013 to school going children from Balvatikas (preschool) to Class VIII. Under this programme, iron fortified rice is promoted. Also, Iron Folic Acid tablets are distributed to school going children on weekly basis through fixed day approach in schools and to out of school going children in Anganwadi Centres. The Anganwadi Centre plays a very important role in this aspect by providing health and nutrition education using Social and Behavioural Change Communication (SBCC).

Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN) periodically conducts national surveys, such as National Nutrition Monitoring Board Survey and Diet and Biomarker Survey, which provide data on micronutrient deficiency. These data are used by the Program Divisions of the Ministries to guide interventions.

With a view to enhance the nutritional quality improvement in high yielding varieties, the Government has developed 171 biofortified varieties of field crops and horticultural crops. These biofortified varieties assume great significance to achieve nutritional security of the country.

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