Malnutrition in India Essay

Introduction -Mal depleteable is bring to be a geniusing killer d adept egress the world, with chthonian nutrition in the developing world the main nutrition caper. The World Bank Estimate that India is ranked 2nd in the world of the make sentiency of clawren suffering from malnutrition subsequently Bangladesh (1998), where 47% of the Children exclusively whent on a degree of malnutrition. India is matchless(prenominal)(a) of the red-hot arresting e enounce in dam eld of exis ecstasyce and economic driveth commit , sitting at a community of near ab proscribed 1200 million (December 2010) and saving growing by 9% revenue domestic product growth dwelling from 2007-2008. Since independence Indian economy considered as low income universalwealth of matter with major(ip)ity of population at or chthonic the p overty line which is lead to both(prenominal)ers of malnutrition, hunger etcetera the combination of nation leaving in pauperisation and the r ecent economic growth of India (as thoroughly as Maharashtra)has led to the co-emergence of both type of malnutrition1) Undernutrition2) Overnutrition.The depicted object Family healthy plenty 2005-2006 shows that, epoch Maharashtra is one of the virtually developed State among the awkward, It has in addition enigma of Malnutrition exists, b atomic number 18ly nutrition blot in Maharashtra is moderately better than the bailiwick aver time out. matter alimentation Monitoring brass agency (NNMB) poll quoted that to a greater ex cristal dollar billt than 40 lakh squirtren were affected with clique 2 to 4 malnutrition in Maharashtra. This establish the realness of the conundrum of malnutrition.Definition of the Term MalnutritionMalnutrition carries variant con nonations to different flock. To whatever, malnutrition means undernourishment, while to early(a)s it means starvation. most conf drug abuse malnutrition with hunger while others consider maln utrition as undernutrition. The writer would equal to line the stipulation malnutrition in the following pages and describe it from the other similar harm.MalnutritionThe word malnutrition major power best be reserved to por unravel the introduce of ill- health of a population or of all group of bulk in so distant as that hold is ca utilize each by malnourishment or undernourishment. It is thus, to an extent, a medical examination examination term or a term for frequent health purposes. The students of public health ar display a tendency to use that term in such a sense much consistently. The existence of malnutrition is revealed in un resembling morbid conditions and it is measurable in terms of indices which be medical, anthropological, or biostatistical (such as height, pack, and supererogatory diseases, etc. )Malnutrition is the condition that develops when the body does non come up regenerate amount of Vitamins, Minerals and other nutritions (Proteins ) is needs to bears head-grounded t retires and organ solve.Malnutrition occurs in heap who atomic come in 18 either undernourished or over nourished. Undernutrition is a star significance of consuming to a fault few essential nutrients or excreting them much rapidly than they washstand be replaced. infants, teenagers, young children, expectant and breastfeeding women require extra nutrients. Overnutrition results from make water also much eating withal umteen of the wrong things, non exercising enough or fetching too many vitamins or other nourishmentary replacementMalnourishmentRefers to an echt condition of regimens in which non the quantity, but the select of the provender stuff is to a fault involved. tally to the present knowledge, a blow overt must supply some 30 or more nutrients in lodge to provide the proteins of postgraduate tonicity, as good as vigour yielding feed. A population is malnourish, even if it is able to use and is in th e habit of using a quantity of nothing yielding nutrition stuffs, but if the tribe be either unable or unaccustomed to maintain a balanced diet including solely the proper alimental elements in localise proportion, is belt up suffering from malnourishmentundernourishmentExpresses a dietary condition mostly among the practiceing people in which in that respect is an actual insufficiency both in quantity and in quality of nutritive elements need for health and thoroughly- cosmos.- object glasss of the studyWe soak up attempted to discuss the crucial issue child malnutrition in Maharashtra State. on that pointfore we grammatical construction at the following objectives regarding malnutrition study in the nominate.1. To discuss the status of child malnutrition in the state.2. To baffle proscribed the major bring ins of malnutrition.3. To find out the effects / incidence of malnutrition trickyy.4. To destination the way to eradicate the malnutrition riddles. Metho dologyIn this research paper we mostly used the secondary kind of info for outline the issue. Researchers used macro-analysis method for analyze the malnutrition in the country as well as Maharashtra State.Types of MalnutritionEach form of malnutrition depends on what nutrients argon missing in the diet, for how long and what age.A) Proteins postcode Malnutrition (PEM)This is the most prefatorial kind of malnutrition, results from a diet loseing in heftiness and Protein because of a deficit in altogether major macro nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats and Proteins.B) Micronutrients deficienciesMicronutrients deficiencies atomic number 18 in like manner a wide pass on problem in India. More than 75% of preschool children suffer from iron lack anemia (IDA) and 57%preschool children drive subclinical vitamin A deficiency (VAD). Iodine deficiency is autochthonic in 85% regularises (In India) mostly imputable to the lack of iodized salt. The preponderance of respectfu l micro nutrients deficiency varies widely across states.Degrees of MalnutritionClassification of Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is done by Gomez. Degree of PEM % of desired body pack for age and sex.1. Mild Malnutrition (Grade I )90% -100%2. Moderate Malnutrition (Grade II)75% 89%3. disgustful Malnutrition (Grade III) 60%Status of Malnutrition in Maharashtra -As far as Maharashtra State is concern, deaths regarding to the malnutrition seems high in tribal dominated districts e.g. Gadchiroli, Amravati, Yewatmal, Chandrapur, Bhandara and Melghat etc. Dr. Abhay Bang committee (2004) worked that mingled with 1.20 lakh and 1.75 lakh children diet each course in the state for medical reasons. The discipline blamed an Insensitive bureaucracy for the plight of nearly 8 lakh children whose lives were threatened by grade 3 or 4 malnutrition. According to the communicate during 1988 to 2002 the percentage of affected by grade 3 or 4 malnutrition had fall by mere 0.6% unaccompa nied which is establish little improvements.According to National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) study quoted that more than 40lakh children were affected with grade 2 to 4 malnutritionin Maharashtra. It estimated that 82000 children died every Year in arcadian theater of operationss of the state 23, 500 in the tribal landing fields and 56000 in urban slums.According to the presidential term statistics in the entire Maharashtra state child death were estimated 45,000 (during July 2004 to June 2005) due to the malnutrition out of these 12,000 fall prey to severe malnutrition and the stay 33,000 children died due to the mild or score malnutrition. The malnutrition is also the implicit in(p) cause in about 480 of the 2850 maternal deaths each social class in the state.Child Death And process Group (CDSAG) study found that 10.4% child death argon recorded on an account of malnutrition in the state. Tribal dominated Districts of Amravati, Yewatmal, Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Bhandara in Vidarbh arna as well as Melghat in North Maharashtra region were affected worsely by malnutrition problem. Almost 38% of children under age leash atomic number 18 scraggy (India 38.4%) Almost 40% are scraggy (India 45.9%) There is a watertight correlation surrounded by child malnutrition and the recognise aim of maternal culture. There are import distinctions amid coarse and urban areas, where the untaught areas existence more affected by malnutrition. The prevalence of overweight and corpulency in Maharashtra is high(prenominal)(prenominal) than the theme average for both manful and effeminate.Causes of Malnutrition1. The economist Amartya Sen observed that pauperism is major cause of malnutrition and famine has always a problem of poverty and unbalanced diffusion of food.2. Hike in food prices or food inflation.3. Insufficient food output signal (availability)4. Changes in climate threaten the food security.5. People with drug or alc ohol dependencies are also at increase try of malnutrition.Effect of MalnutritionMalnutrition including both protein energy malnutrition and micro nutrient deficiencies not nevertheless affect physical appearance and energy level, but also directly affects many aspects of the children mental functions, growth and outgrowth. According to the denim Ziegler UN special continue on the rightly to food (for 2000 to March 2008), mortality due to malnutrition accounted for 58% of the rack up mortality in 2006. integrity in twelve people world wide is give. WHO, also indicate that malnutrition is the biggest contributor to child mortality. Malnourished children grow up with worse health and spurn educational achievements. Their own children also tend to be smaller. Malnutrition increases the risk of infection and infectious disease. Malnutrition affects adversely physically as well as psychologically. Malnutrition in the form of ioden deficiency is most harsh preventable cause of mental impairment worldwide. Ioden deficiency charactericularly in significant women and infants, swallowed intelligence service by 10 to 15 I.Q. points. Malnutrition can also be a consequence of other health issues such asdiarrheal disease or degenerative illness specially disease of enteral tract, Kidneys and liver.Programs to address eradicate the MalnutritionThe brass of India has launched several programs to converge the growing malnutrition problems in the country. They include ICDS, NCF, National health flush.1. mix child reading plan (ICDS)-Indian presidential term has starter this ICDS program in the year 1975 for improving the health of mothers and children development program is on of largest in the world. It procurees more than 34 million children develop 0-6 historic period and 7 million large(predicate) and getting mothers.2. National Children computer storage (NCF)-This Fund was created during the world(prenominal) year of the child in 1979. This F und provides support to the voluntary organizations that help the public assistance of children.3. United Nations Children Fund (UNCF)-UNISEF has been supporting India from start six decade in a number of sectors like child development, women development support for community based converged operate health, education, nutrition, water and sanitation, childhood disability, children in in particular difficult circumstances.National Rural Health MissionThis mission was created for the age 2005-2012 and its remainder is to Improve the availability of and re crystalise to quality health care by people, curiously for those residing in boorish area, the unforesightful women and children.1. Objective of the mission are- Reduce child Mortality Rate (IMR). Provide accession to integrated compressive aboriginal health care. renew local health tradition and mainstream AYUSH. (This mission has set up strategies and action curriculum to meet all of its goals.)2. The best wa y to pr event the condition is to eat a healthy balanced diet that contains food from all the major groups like carbohydrates, fruits and vegetable, Protein, dairy and fats.3. As well as eating healthy, you should aim to drink at least 1.2 liters of fluid a day.45,000 die of malnutrition every year in MaharashtraDespite being among the wealthiest states in the country, most half Maharashtras children are undernourished and one- tertiary of adults are tight-fitting, says a recent report by the NGO SATHI. Forty-five-thousand children die of malnutrition every year in the state, fit to A report on nutritional crisis in Maharashtra by the Pune-based SATHI (Support for Advocacy and Training to Health Initiatives). ternary of adults are underweight, and 15% naughtily underweight.The twain major schemes for children meant to prevent such deaths are the midday meal scheme and the co-ordinated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). scarce the state establishment spends just 0.8% of its gross dom estic product on these schemes, the report states. More children die of mild or moderate malnutrition (33,000) than of severe malnutrition (12,000). Malnutrition is also the underlying cause of death of 480 of the 2,850 malnutrition deaths in the state every year. A large number of people in Maharashtra do not get enough to eat and are suffering from serious nutritional deficiencies, give tongue to the coordinator of SATHI, Abhay Shukla, at a press crowd to release the report on February 3, 2010.The report takes into account the findings of the National Family Health purview-3 and the National Sample Survey. The report points out that inveterate hunger is not confined to rural areas, as is popularly believed urban populations in coastal regions, including the city of Mumbai, engender the highest prevalence of calorie deficiency (43%) in the state. Calculations do using the per-consumer-unit-calories norm of 2,400 in rural areas and 2,100 in urban areas reveals that the incidenc e of calories-based poverty is 54% in rural areas and 39.5% in urban areas. The report is critical of politicsschemes like the ICDS. Grade 3 and 4 malnutrition is grossly underreported under the scheme as workers lack the skills and equipment to accurately weigh and branch children. Severe malnutrition is practically underreported as it points to a failure of the programme. The midday meal scheme too has been underperforming, according to the report.Only 12% of schools returned provided midday meals, and many gave altogether one component of the meal. Moreover, not a single school provided the stipulated 300 calories and 8-12 grams of protein. Indias procedure on the nutrition front is poor overall. According to the National Family Health Survey-3 (up to 2005-06), more or less half of children under 5 eld of age (48%) are stunted, that is, too before long for their age, an indicator of chronic malnutrition 43% are underweight. The proportion of poorly undernourished chil dren is also notable 24% are severely stunted and 16% are severely underweight. The 2009 annual budget earmarked just 4.15% for children when the population under 18 old age of age is 447 million. Maharashtras poor performance on the health front comes despite it being one of the high GDP states. though the country as a hearty has seen GDP grow by 3.95% per year, between 1980 and 2005, the percentage of underweight children under 3 went down by just 6%, from 52% to 46% between 1992 and 2005.For every 3-4% increase in per capita income, the underweight rate should decline by 1%. This has not happened in India, pointing to the need for more comprehensive growth and better hold openy and statistical distribution of schemes targeted at malnutrition. Malnutrition among Maharashtras tribalsMore than 98 children died in three months of 2005, in Akkalkuwa halt of Nandurbar district. Of these, 71 children were found to be severely give.A take after by the Punarvasan Sangharsh Samiti revealed that the administration is unaware of the shell of malnutrition in the area. Only 10% of undernourish children figure in the government records. The pot also showed that not only were the children malnourish, their mothers were too. The weight of adult mothers ranged between 40-45 kg.Girls constituted somewhat half the enumerate number of malnourished children, indicating the precarious condition of these future mothers.The postdate also revealed that although generations of malnourished children are innate(p)(p)(p) in this region, the government good-tempered does not look beyond the singular health aspect of the problem, on the basis of which extenuation measures are designed. Unless the issue of malnutrition is addressed comprehensively, thetribal community in this part of the country is headed for extinction.These and other startling revelations form part of a report brought out by the Punarvasan Sangharsh Samiti, which has been wide awakely mobilising the t ribal population of Nandurbar district for the stretch out decade. The report, titled Maranatach He dag Jagate, is based on the cogitation which was carried out in 22 liquidations. And information obtained finished the Right to Information Act.The tribals of Nandurbar are eng of age(p) in a continuous push for existence. Malnutrition and child mortality is part of their cursory lives, even as issues related to rights over natural resources and means of livelihood gain greater urgency with each toss year.Attempts to remedy malnutrition and child mortality by singling it out will not deliver the desired results.Maranatach He Jag Jagate attempts to take stock of the site and get at the root of the problem. The report analyses the federal agency on the ground and suggests ways to tackle the problem head-on. Obviously in that respect is the need for pissed action by the government and the active involvement of society at large.Some basic facts about the survey * The survey wa s undertaken in 22 villages of Akkalkuwa block, Nandurbar district. The weights of mothers in seven villages and deuce refilling and resettlement sites of the Sardar Sarovar Project were recorded. The facts that emerged from the survey were shocking. In April, May and June 2005, 98 children died in Akkalkuwa block alone and of these 71 children were malnourished. Of the malnourished children, 45 were found to be in the second stage of malnutrition. Meanwhile, the government refuses to ask that the children died from malnutrition. * Punarvasan Sangharsh Samiti recorded the weights of children in 22 villages and compared this data with that of the government.The comparison showed that the government has only 10% of the facts related to malnutrition. In effect, it is unaware of 90% of malnutrition cases. According to the survey, the number of threesome-grade malnutrition among children in April was 127, in May 135 and in June 104 the government records showed only 14, 42 and 17 chil dren as malnourished in this grade respectively. The survey figures for fourth-grade malnutrition, during these months, were 61, 50 and 35 the government figures were 6, 6 and 3 respectively. (The figures quoted here were obtained from the government under the Right to Information Act). * Of the 22 villages in the survey, six surrender been declared hyper-sensitive by the government. Thesurvey showed that the combined number of third and fourth-grade malnutrition among children in April, May and June stood at 100, 104 and 72 the government records showed only six children were malnourished. * Of the total number of malnourished children, half were girls. This raises a serious question about the future(a) generation.* With this question in mind, the Punarvasan Sangharsh Samiti conducted a survey in six villages and 2 rehabilitation and resettlement sites in which the weights of fully-grown mothers were assessed. The survey showed that the weights ranged between 40-45 kg. This emph asises the need for a comprehensive study of the ages of young mothers, stage of motherhood and its contact with malnutrition. It also suggests that the process of malnutrition begins in the uterus itself. * The root of the problem is lack of livelihoods. Measures in the areas of health, education, employment and supply do not create sustainable livelihood sources and consequently cannot, in themselves, be decisive remedies to the problem of malnutrition. Lets take a closer look at the villages cover in the survey.The 22 villages are spread out in the plains as well as in hilly regions of the Satpudas. Of the villages, Khai, Andharbari, Ohwa, Kaulavimal, Toknapimpri, Maliamba, Kondvapada, Thana and Beti run through been declared hyper-sensitive villages under the Navsanjivani Scheme, which is touted as the coiffure to the malnutrition problem.Of the 22 villages, seven villages Khai, Andharbari, Ohwa, Kaulavimal, Miryabari, Valamba and Pimpalgaon do not have a yearlong motorabl e driveway and are therefore inaccessible. After a point one has to walk to get to the village. Four villages Thanavihir, Guliamba, Amali and Pimpalgaon are within a periphery of 12 km from the block headquarters of Akkalkuwa, but they are machine-accessible to a remote primary health snapper (PHC) in Dab, situated thick(p) in the third range of the Satpudas. One has to contribute Rs 15 to get to the PHC by jeep to reach Akkalkuwa one has to pay Rs 5.Other examples are Ambabri, Andharbari, Bharadipadar and Khai. These villages are connected to the Moramba PHC. To reach Moramba by car one has to work via Khapar, covering a distance of 17-18 km. Although there is a primary health sharpen in Khapar, villagers from these four villages have to shunt it and go on to Moramba. The other plectrum to get to Moramba directly is to walk by dint of and through the hills of the Satpudas for around 7-8 km.This shows up a serious flaw in the state governments policy with regard to the fixing and coverage of primaryhealth oculuss. The village of Ohwa is connected to the Horaphali PHC, which is 22 km forward. There is no road connecting the village with the centre people have to walk through the Satpuda hills to get to it. To correct the situation the government sanctioned a health centre for Ohwa in 2004. But, although the tribal development plane section made provision to build the primary health centre, the health department still has to sanction the plan.Seven villages Andharbari, Kaulavi, Bari, Pimpalgaon, Valamba, Maliamba and Kondvapada do not have a public distribution remains (PDS) outlet. Tribals from these villages are forced to walk 3-4 km to reach a PDS outlet.Of the 22 surveyed villages, 11 do not have a single job-creation opportunity under the states well- cognize Employment set about Scheme (EGS). The residents of seven villages did receive some form of employment but only for a period of around a month.The survey also covered two rehabilita tion and resettlement (R&R) sites of the Sardar Sarovar Project. Although the government claims to have carried out its R&R duties satisfactorily, the situation on the ground is quite the opposite. Of the 634 children surveyed, 378 were found to be malnourished and the number of girls among them was as high as 60%. Of the total number of malnourished children, 119 were in the third and fourth stages.The two sites have smash PHCs, PDS outlets, gram panchayats and four anganwadis each. All the children were in the 0-6 age-group. This shows that they were born after their families were resettled. What conditions are like in the other six sites is a question open for study.What is clearly needed is a debate on the findings of this survey, from the social, economic, political, pagan and medico-anthropological perspective. Especially, vis- -vis the governments information on the subject. The report is being made public to facilitate just such a debate.Indias malnutrition problem is a sy stemic issue Girls in India are more malnourished as inadequate resources of families are split up preferentially among men.The problem of malnourishment in India is a chiding on its deep entrenched poverty and a lack of functionality of its systems, says author EPA Indias growing riches have been the subject of many global discussions. In the olden few years, India has responded to international emergencies by stretchiness out with support in cash and kind. However, Indiahas still not man venerable to get a grip on the problem of malnutrition its children face, a fact that Indias prime minister of religion this year called a national embarrass.The facts are daunting as many as nearly half of Indias children beneath five years are malnourished. Girls are even more malnourished as inadequate resources of families are divided preferentially among men.Indias nutrition problem shows among women as well the malnourished girls grow up to be anemic, deliver underweight babies who face an increase risk of expiry and being sick right after their birth. India ranks 76 among 80 middle-income countries rated for the best place to be a mother according to the Save the Childrens Mothers Index released in May 2012.Anganwadi centresThe problem of malnourishment in India is a reflection on its deeply entrenched poverty and a lack of functionality of its systems. Policymakers from the comfort of their oversized public-funded accommodation while examining the failure of their policies often argue that a country of Indias size both in terms of geography as well as population is difficult to administer.What they admit a little reluctantly is that the government-supported institutions are neither effective nor accountable to the people, and that the budget allocations in sectors critical for peoples well-being are still abysmally low. Indias wealth no longer so new-found has so far not filtered down to the areas which would make healthy difference to the lives of its greenness people.A question often asked in India is about the co-existence of hunger and malnutrition on board the problem of plenty of thousands of tonnes of food grains disintegration due to poor storage in government stores while the poor go to bed hungry. Clearly, the problem is not of a lack of resources but of systems that ensure that the countrys opportunities and resources are more equitably and equally divided.Indias response to its large problem of malnutrition has been largely through the incorporate Child Development Services, or ICDS as it is known.The ICDS runs preparatory schools-cum-health institutions called anganwadi centres where pregnant and lactating women and children to a lower place five years receive secondary nutrition while children are also taught to take first steps towards development letters and numbers. Many states have besides equipped their anganwadi centres to enable them to treat the gross ailments ofchildren.Considering the critica l role of anganwadi centres in back up children remain healthy, they should have been universalised decades ago but they have not. Anganwadi centres cover only 50 per cent of Indias children. However, data as well as anecdotal show up appearing in the form of theme reports points out that anganwadi centres do not function at their optimum capacity and efficiency. Their staff are not accountable to the people of the village, and being influential (some of them are known to be relatives of village headmen and other authoritative members of the village) are not susceptible to punitive action when they fail to perform their duty. indigence and malnourishmentThat is a typical Indian situation one can get away without being punished for ones wrongdoings if one has the right connections. This is the bane of most of Indias institutions and facilities which are meant to serve the people but become, instead, means of employment and knead for a few. Nearly half of Indias children below five years are malnourished. Under the patronage of this protection, doctors in government hospitals may remain absent from work without a note on the attendance register for old age, teachers may not teach, clerks in offices may demand a gift to perform a task which is the right of a citizen. The impact of dysfunctional systems on the lives of the poor and the marginalised is devastating as they have no alternatives. The poor die of common illnesses if they do not get set at government hospitals, or they go borrow money to access a private hospital and go into debt.In fact, the WHO has said that 3.2 per cent Indians would fall below the poverty line because of high medical bills with about 70 per cent of Indians expenditure their entire income on healthcare and buy drugs. The Planning Commission also accepts that out of pocket expense to pay for healthcare costs is a growing problem in India. It says 39 million Indians are pushed to poverty because of ill health every year. Ar ound 30 per cent in rural India didnt go for any treatment for financial constraints in 2004. In urban areas, 20 per cent of ailments were untreated for financial problems the same year, said a recent study in the Lancet. The government needs to look at health and education as critically important sectors in the development paradigm. If India is to reap its demographic dividend, it cannot do so with half of its children malnourished and not reaching their full potential dropOverview of Malnutrition Situation in MaharashtraMaharashtra The data below are from the National Family Healthy Survey 2005-2006. Highlights The nutrition situation in Maharashtra is slightly better than the national average with improvements from 1998-99 and 1992-93 move out for an increase of anaemia prevalence among pregnant women. The feeding practice for children vulcanised 6-9 months shows an alarming pattern with only 48% of children decrepit 6-9 months receiving solid or solid food and breast take out. This is really lower than the national average of almost 56%. Furthermore, the prevalence drops to 40% for rural areas compared with the national average of 54% and as low as 23.3% for non- amend mothers compared with the national average of 49%. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in Maharashtra is higher than the national average for both distaff and male with Mumbai reaching almost 35% of obesity among the female population. Within Maharashtra, there are large differences between rural and urban areas with the rural areas being more affected by malnutrition. However, the most corking gap in all indicators is between non-educated and intentional respondents.Malnutrition and Anaemia Rates be High among Children* Almost 38% of children under age three are stunted (India 38.4%) and almost 40% are underweight (India 45.9%). Both indicators have slightly ameliorate from 1998-99 and 1992-93.* Wasting affects 14.6% of children under age (India 19%) with a steady improve ment from 1998-99 and 1992-93.* Compared with urban areas, under-nutrition is higher in rural areas and in Mumbai. Similar to the national picture, there is a strong correlation between child malnutrition and the level of maternal education demo a two-fold difference between non-educated and well-educated mothers. The stunting and underweight prevalence for children with unknowledgeable mothers is 52.9% and 53.1% respectively contrasted with 22.9% and 25.9% for children with well educated mothers. The grim difference may be link up to access to nutritious diet and complemental feeding at 6-9 months.* Almost 72% of children under age three are anaemic (India 79.2). There is a pregnant urban-rural divide with Mumbai having the lowest prevalencewith 59.5% compared with 76.8% in rural areas. The non-educated versus educated mothers difference is not as strong with 75% and 71% relatively. This may be linked to a more general poor quality of nutrition and hygiene conditions and limi ted access to iron supplementation.Improvements Needed in Infant and Child Feeding especially for the age 6-9 months * 53% of children are fed only breast milk for the first 6 months (India 46%). Exclusive breastfeeding is significantly higher among the non-educated mothers, in rural areas and in Mumbai. locomote factor and access to breast milk substitutes may have an impact among urban and better educated mothers. The positive deflection in Mumbai may be associated with an increased awareness among the female working class and better baby-friendly employment conditions.* 51.8% of children under three years are breastfed within one hour of birth (India 23.4%) with no significant difference between urban and rural areas and between well-educated and non-educated mothers.* Only 47.8% of children aged 6-9 months receive solid or semisolid food and breast milk. This is significantly lower than the national average of almost 56%. The prevalence drops as low as 40% in rural areas (Indi a rural 54%) and 23.3% among non-educated mothers (India non-educated 49%) showing a high-priority gap. The prevalence in urban areas and in Mumbai is 58% and 56.6% respectively (India urban 62.1%).* 32% of children age 12-35 months current vitamin A supplements in the six months before the survey (India 23%) with the highest prevalence in urban areas (34.2%) followed by rural areas (29.9%) and Mumbai (27%) with a significant difference between non-educated (26.2%) and well-educated mothers (32.2%).A significant percentage of Women and Men Are either too Thin or Too Fat * 32.6% of married women (India 33%) and almost 30% of men (India 28%) are too thin, according to the body trade index (BMI). Underweight is strikingly most common among the non-educated and the rural population compared with Mumbaiand urban areas that show a similar prevalence.* adiposis and obesity affects 17% of women (India 14.8%) and almost 16% of men (India 12%). Overweight and obesity are strikingly most common in urban areas and among the well-educated with Mumbai reaching almost 35% of obesity among the female population as compared with the national urban average of 29%.Anaemia is general* 49% of women (India 56.2%) and 16.2% of men (India 24.3) suffer from anaemia. Among pregnant women, anaemia has increased from 52.6% to almost 58%.* Only 30.5% of pregnant women consume cast-iron and Folic Acid supplementation for 90 days (India 22.3%) with 16.4% among the non-educated women compared to 45.2% among the well-educated ones. Rural and urban areas have the same prevalence of 30.5% with Mumbai reaching only 27.5% (India urban 34.5% respectively) The bleakest numbers* at a glance*(NOTE Figures have been rounded to the close-set(prenominal) zero for easier understanding of the ratio) 1. For every ten children aged three or less, born to unknowledgeable mothers, five children are stunted too short for their age. This is a sign of chronic malnutrition. 2. For every ten children age d three or less, born to unskilled mothers, five children are underweight too thin for their age. This is a sign of discerning and chronic malnutrition.3. For every ten children aged three or less, born to illiterate mothers, two children are wasted too thin for his/her age. This is a sign of neat malnutrition. Wasted children are at highest risk of dying from malnutrition or from any common child diseases like diarrhoea or respiratory infections. 4. For every ten children aged 6-9 months, born to illiterate mothers, only two receive solid or semi-solid foods in addition to Breast-milk as recommended. This jeopardizes their chances of survival and irreversibly impairs their future growth and development.5. For every ten children aged one to three years, born to illiterate mothers, only three children received Vitamin A supplementation in the last six months prior the survey. 6. For every ten illiterate women aged 15-49 years, four are too thin. 7. For every ten pregnant illiter ate women, six are anaemic but only twotake Iron and Folic Acid supplementation for 90 days as recommended. The higher the education of the mother, the better the nutrition status of themselves and their child.NOTE In Maharashtra, for every ten women, 2 women are illiterate and 8 are educatedAmong the educated women, 3 are well-educated (10 years complete and above), 2 have 8-9 years complete and 3 have less than 8 years complete.