SHILLONG: India is a fast-growing economy and yet it has high prevalence of malnutrition with 40 per cent of underweight children below the age of five.
This was stated by Karuna Lamar, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Department, and SB Singh, Demonstration Officer, Community Food and Nutrition Extension Unit at the inaugural function of National Nutrition Week on Friday.
Lamar said the aim of the programme is to educate the present generation on the importance of nutrition for the overall development of children’s health which impacts the country’s progress.
One out of three malnourished children in the world resides in India.
Referring to the situation in the country where malnutrition is of high prevalence at the time of growing economic development, he said, “Economic development is necessary but not a sufficient condition for the improvement of nutrition.”
Meanwhile, speaking as chief guest, Information and Public Relations Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh stressed on the need to provide nutritious food to children to ensure their overall health and well being even as she pointed to a misconception that nutrition was usually associated with the amount of money people have.
Pointing to another misconception, she said, “Usually people in the hill station believe that fat babies are healthy babies,” adding that time spent with infants from the age of 0-24 months is crucial.
Underlining the importance of breastfeeding, Lyngdoh expressed concern that a lot of young mothers try to wean their children at a very early age, further pointing out that overall growth of children is linked to the feeding habits by parents.
Stating that child rearing is a participatory event, she said, “The man should also come forward.”
Lyngdoh questioned whether the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) has made assessment of children in later lives for concrete results.
She pointed out that if there are lapses, corrective measures should be taken by the concerned department.
