Lok Sabha Question No. 1591 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-28
Subject: Nutritional Need among Women and Children
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1591

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2023

## NUTRITIONAL NEED AMONG WOMEN AND CHILDREN

## 1591. SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether India accounts for almost a quarter of the stunted children and onethird worldwide of anaemic women in the reproductive age group; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  measures  taken/are  being  taken  by  the  Government keeping  in  view  the  fact  that  food  policies  of  the  country  have  not  been successful to adequately respond to the growing nutrient needs of the people and meet such kind of challenges of the changing times?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)       Data on nutrition indicators among children and women is captured under the National Family Health Surveys conducted periodically by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. As per the recent round of NFHS-5 (2019-21), 33.8% children under 5 years of age are stunted and 57% women (15-49 years) are anaemic.
- (b)        Government  has  accorded  high  priority  to  the  issue  of  malnutrition  among women and children in the country and is making serious efforts to address this issue. Mission Poshan 2.0 announced in the budget 2021-22 is designed to address the issue of malnutrition including anaemia through transparency, accountability, balanced diets, diet diversity and quality, greater grassroots involvement and last-mile delivery of services supported by key strategies, viz., corrective strategies to address nutrition related deficiencies like anaemia, nutrition awareness strategies to develop good eating habits for sustainable health and well-being, strategies for communication and development of green eco-systems such as Poshan Vatikas. Under Poshan 2.0, focus is on diet diversity, food fortification, leveraging traditional systems of knowledge and popularizing use of millets. Nutrition awareness strategies under Poshan 2.0 aim to develop sustainable health and well-being through regional meal plans to bridge dietary gaps.

Under the Anganwadi Services Scheme, supplementary nutrition is provided to pregnant women, lactating mothers and children up to the age of 6 years as per the nutritional  norms.  Recently,  these  nutrition  norms  have  been  revised  to  provide balanced nutrition including quality protein, healthy fats and 7 essential micro nutrients (calcium, zinc, iron, dietary folate, Vitamin-A, Vitamin B-6 and Vitamin B-12.

Greater emphasis is being given on the use of millets for preparation of Hot Cooked  Meal  and  Take  Home  rations  (not  raw  ration)  at  Anganwadi  centres  for Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers and Children below 6 years of age, in view of their  high  nutrient  content  to  address  anaemia  and  micro-nutrient  deficiencies  in women and children. Under Supplementary Nutrition Programme, it is mandatory to provide millet based diet at least once a week. Further, under Mission Poshan 2.0, only fortified rice is allocated to States/UTs.

Further,  the  Government of India has launched Anemia Mukt Bharat (AMB) strategy with the target to reduce anemia in women, children and adolescents in life cycle  approach.  The  6x6x6  strategy  under  AMB  implies  six  age  groups,  six interventions and six institutional mechanisms. The six interventions under Anemia Mukt Bharat strategy include, Prophylactic Iron Folic Acid Supplementation, Periodic de-worming,  intensified  year-round  Behaviour  Change  Communication  Campaign, Testing and treatment of anemia, using digital methods and point of care treatment, Convergence  and  coordination  with  other  line  departments  and  ministries  for strengthening implementation etc.

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