As India celebrates its fifth ‘Rashtriya Poshan Maah,’ or National Nutrition Month, this September, the coming together of public and private partners along with local stakeholders on participative and innovative digital campaigns offers new-age solutions to busting myths, counselling families, and driving home the message of a healthy and energetic India.
Seventy-five years into independence and building a well-nourished citizenry remains one of the biggest challenges faced by the country. Data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS 5) shows severe wasting, or low weight for height, in 7.7% of children in India, and over 35.5% of children show stunted growth. While significant gains have been made by the country in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates over the years, high rates of anaemia and malnourishment among women of reproductive age continue to cost many infants a healthy childhood.