QX CHILD MALNUTRITION IN INDIA: EVIDENCE FROM NATIONAL FAMILY HEALTH SURVEY- 4

Abstract

Good nutrition allows children to survive, grow, develop, learn, play, participate and contribute while malnutrition robs children of their futures leaves young lives hanging in the balance’. Appropriate amount of Nutrition is essential for human body. As we know that Health is Wealth. Without good health we can’t get human development, economic growth because lack of nutrition leads to depression, mental illness, weakness in the body. Malnutrition is due to both undernutrition as well as overnutrition and refers to deficiencies, imbalances and excesses in the intake of nutrients, energy and other protein. Malnutrition is a worldwide problem that has many forms. Every country is affected by these starving problems faced specially in the children due to lack of the required essential nutrients. This problem affecting all categories including poor people, rich people and all aged group without any disparities. Malnutrition mainly allies with the health illness and high level of mortality. The underdeveloped and poor country are mainly affected by the malnutrition due to lack of awareness, the poverty, lack of education and lack of the required resources. Benefits of good health is not only seen at individual level but also at the level of society and country as well. Malnutrition is a term refers to deficiency, excess or imbalances in somebody’s intake of energy and/other nutrients. In simple words, malnutrition can either be due to inadequate intake or an excess intake of calories. Malnutrition in simple words, is a dietary deficiency that results in poor health conditions. Individual’s health foundation is laid in early stage of life. It is a fact that in some developing countries, India is one of them, approximately half of children under 5 years of age led to death every year due to lack of poor nutrition. It is difficult for the poor people to bear the treatment cost especially occurring out-of-pocket expenditures. Irregular eating and intake of unhealthy food results in gain of weight. According to Health experts, doctors this problem is referred to as Malnutrition. The irony is that India is the world second largest food producer and yet home to majorly malnourished people.