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India's Toddlers Missing Nutrients Despite Gains
30 May
Summary
- Adequate diet for children 6-23 months improved but remains low.
- Exclusive breastfeeding for infants under six months has declined.
- Child undernutrition rates show progress but persistent challenges remain.
The National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) data indicates a concerning trend in child nutrition, with only 15.3% of children aged 6-23 months receiving an adequate diet, a slight increase from 11% in NFHS-5. Experts highlight that these children may lack essential nutrients despite sufficient calorie intake, impacting development.
The survey also revealed a decline in exclusive breastfeeding for infants under six months, falling from 63.7% to 55.8%. This trend is considered deeply concerning by child nutrition advocates, who stress the critical role of breastfeeding for infant health and national development.
However, NFHS-6 does present some positive indicators. The proportion of children aged 6-8 months receiving complementary foods alongside breastfeeding rose to 59.5%. Overall, India has made progress in reducing stunting (32.3%), wasting (16.3%), and underweight children (29.2%), though these challenges remain significant.
