How does Malnutrition Affects India? How to Prevent it?
We all know that India has a food problem. I mean, every time you see an Indian eating something, it's either some kind of junk food or some other kind of unhealthy food. So what does this mean for us? Well, it means that we should be extra careful about the food we eat and make sure we're getting enough nutrition in our diets. This can be done both on your own and at home by purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables from your local grocery store or farmer's market.
In Today Ramesh Chaurasia news, we're going to bring some light on this pressing issue, and discuss some ways to prevent it.
What is Malnutrition?
Malnutrition is a condition in which a person suffers from either a deficiency or an excess of nutrients. It can be caused by a lack of food, a poor diet, or a lack of vitamins and minerals. In some cases, malnourished people may also suffer from vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency.
Malnutrition can lead to many health problems, including:
Lack of energy
Reduced mental capacity and weight loss
A weakened immune system
According to the 2019 Global Nutrition Report, India ranks 103 out of 117 countries in terms of under-five wasting rates with 21% of children suffering from wasting. Six Indian states with the highest number of undernourished children in India are Uttar Pradesh (5.1 million), Bihar (4.7 million), West Bengal (3.7 million), Rajasthan (3.4 million), Madhya Pradesh (3.2 million), and Maharashtra (2.9 million).
The leading causes of malnutrition are poverty and lack of education on food products and their nutritional value among parents which result in poor dietary habits among them. Apart from that, in India, the average income of a household is less than Rs 10,000 per month. This makes it difficult for families to afford nutritious food items such as pulses and vegetables on a regular basis.
Some Alarming Stats Regarding Malnutrition
According to data from National Family Health Survey-4, out of 10 lakh households surveyed in nine states across India, 42% had poor quality diets and 28% did not have enough food at all during one month—reminiscent of what life was like before we had access to supermarkets with everything under one roof!
The data from NFHS-4 also revealed that children from the poorest households were more likely to be underweight than children from the richest households. The survey showed that almost half of all Indian children below the age of five are either stunted or wasted. Apart from poor nourishment, the lack of sanitation facilities is another reason for high infant mortality rates in India. According to UNICEF’s 2018 report, around 2 lakh children die every year due to diarrhea alone.
The leading causes of malnutrition are poverty and lack of education on food products and their nutritional value among parents which result in poor dietary choices for their children. This leads to inadequate intake of the right kinds of nutrients, including proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients. In India, there are 1 billion people who are malnourished or undernourished with more than 65% being children below 5 years old. Malnutrition is a major problem in India and it affects nearly 40% of people who are below 18 years old.
What Can We Do about it?
It's very alarming that India has the highest number of undernourished children globally, this shows that there is a great need to strengthen the local infrastructure to provide better healthcare facilities and nutritional awareness among these vulnerable populations to tackle malnutrition. So, is there anything we can do about it? Here're some tips to help you with it,
Follow a proper diet at all stages of life to prevent malnutrition
Eat a variety of foods, including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
Eat less sugar, salt, and fat.
Eat more fiber-rich food like cereals (whole wheat), milk products (dairy products), and pulses like peas, beans, etc., which help in preventing constipation among others as they are high in water content which aids digestion of our body's internal organs resulting in better health overall!
Moreover, it is important to drink plenty of water throughout the day so that we stay hydrated at all times especially during summer months when temperatures soar high just because we don't know how hot it's going to get outside!
We all know how important it is to stay hydrated as we are made up of 70% water and our body needs it for various processes such as digestion, metabolism, and elimination. So, whether you’re running a marathon or simply feeling thirsty, drinking enough water can help you perform better by improving your concentration, alertness, and stamina. It also helps fight fatigue by preventing muscle cramps and soreness.
Conclusion
We have touched on the issue of malnutrition in Today Ramesh Chaurasia news. You can do your bit to prevent malnutrition by making sure you are getting enough nutrients from your diet. You can also ensure that there is a good supply of food in the country, as well as educate people about how important it is. Once everyone starts taking some initiative, nothing will seem that far-fetched!
Also, read- Policies India Needs to Reduce Income Inequality
__________________________________________________________________________________ Author- Ramesh Chaurasia A superior and highly experienced entrepreneur in the field of business for quite a long time now. Also, a philanthropist, author, and public speaker who believes in working towards the overall well-being and betterment of society as a whole.