Nutritional Deficiency Among the Poor
Source: PIB
GS I: Role of women and women’s organization, population and associated issues, poverty and developmental issues, urbanization, their problems and their remedies
Overview
- News in Brief
- Key Findings of the Report
- Initiatives and Schemes in India
Why in the News?
The Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (2022-23) has highlighted significant nutritional deficiencies among India’s poor.
News in Brief
- National Sample Survey (NSS) Organisation’s Household Consumer Expenditure Survey (CES) has long served as India’s premiere (monetary) poverty monitoring instrument.
- It is the primary data source for official poverty statistics.
- A change in the NSS survey methodology for the 55th round of the CES in 1999-00 led to a vigorous debate on how much poverty had declined up to that point.
Key Findings of the Report
- Expenditure Thresholds: Rural India needs ₹2,197 (₹1,569 for food, ₹628 for non-food); Urban India needs ₹3,077 (₹2,098 for food, ₹979 for non-food) for adequate nourishment.
- The proportion of Poor: 17.1% in rural and 14% in urban areas.
- Thresholds for Poorest 10%: Increase to ₹2,395 for rural and ₹3,416 for urban, raising deprivation to 23.2% (rural) and 19.4% (urban).
- Calorie Intake: The poorest 5% consume 1,564 kcal (rural) and 1,607 kcal (urban), below the required 2,172 kcal (rural) and 2,135 kcal (urban).
About Nutritional Security
Nutritional security ensures access to adequate, safe, and nutritious food for a healthy life, focusing on both the quality and quantity of food.
Need for Nutritional Security
- Holistic Health: Goes beyond calorie intake to ensure a balanced nutrient supply.
- Economic Impact: Improves productivity and reduces healthcare costs, with micronutrient deficiencies costing 0.8%-2.5% of GDP.
- Cognitive Development: Enhances IQ and educational outcomes, breaking poverty cycles.
- Disease Resilience: Strengthens immune response, reducing healthcare burdens.
- Biodiversity: Promotes dietary diversity and supports agricultural biodiversity.
Key Challenges in Handling Nutrition in India
- Economic Inequality: 74% can’t afford a healthy diet.
- Inadequate Dietary Intake: Shift to low-quality, processed foods lacking essential nutrients.
- Poor Sanitation: Only 69% use improved sanitation facilities.
- Lack of Health Infrastructure: Low doctor (0.73) and nurse (1.74) density per 1000 people.
- Delayed/Inconsistent Delivery: Only 50.3% of children receive Anganwadi services.
- Inadequate Monitoring: Poor assessment of program effectiveness.
Initiatives and Schemes in India
- Mission Poshan 2.0
- Focuses on improving maternal nutrition and child feeding norms, integrating multiple schemes.
- Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme
- Provides food, preschool education, and primary healthcare to children under 6 and their mothers.
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
- Offers financial incentives to pregnant and lactating mothers for health and nutrition.
- Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM Poshan)
- Supplies nutritious meals to school children; introduces millets to enhance dietary diversity.
- Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)
- Aims to improve the nutritional and health status of adolescent girls.
- Mother’s Absolute Affection (MAA)
- Promotes breastfeeding to improve child health and nutrition.3
- Poshan Vatikas
- Establishes nutrition gardens to provide locally grown nutritious food for children and mothers.
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