
India unlikely to meet ‘Poshan Abhiyaan’ targets
Why is it in the news ?
- According to a new study published in The Lancet, India is unlikely to meet targets set under the ambitious Poshan Abhiyaan or National Nutrition Mission (NNM).
More in the news
- The report is a joint initiative of Indian Council of Medical Research, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- Findings of the Study (Global Disease Burden Study):
- India will miss its target for stunting levels of 25% by 9.6%.
- Underweight target of 22.7% will be missed by 4.8%.
- Desired low birth level target of 11.4% by 8.9%.
- Anaemia level among women of 39.4% by 13.8%.
- Anaemia level among children of 44.7% by 11.7%.
- About Poshan Abhiyaan:
- Poshan Abhiyaan, the world’s largest nutrition programme, expected to benefit 10 crore people, was launched in 2018.
- It ims to reduce stunting, underweight, and low birth weight, each by 2% per year.
- It aims to reduce anaemia among young children, adolescents and women each by 3% per year until 2022.
- A special target for stunting is set at 25% by 2022.
- Data of National Family Health Survey-4 (2015-2016):
- About 38.4% of children under the age of five are stunted.
- About 35.7% are underweight.
- About 18% of children were born underweight (less than 2.5 kg).
- About 58% of children between the age of 6-59 months have anaemia.
- About 53% of women in the age of 14-49 years have anaemia.
Source
The Hindu.