MP Kids Suffer Malnutrition: 23% Underweight, 39% Stunted

In a concerning trend, the percentage of underweight and stunted children in Madhya Pradesh has been found to be significantly higher than the national average. According to the Poshan Tracker, a nutrition monitoring mobile application, 23% of children in the 0-5 years age group in the state are underweight, while 39% are stunted.

The national average for underweight children is 11%, and for stunted children, it is 28%. The data also reveals that the percentage of stunted children in the state has increased from 35% to 39% over the past year, while the percentage of underweight children has remained steady at 23%.

The Poshan Tracker data also provides a breakdown of the nutrition status of children in various cities and districts of Madhya Pradesh. In Bhopal, 30% of children are stunted, 4% are wasted, and 15% are underweight. In Indore, 31% of children are stunted, 4% are wasted, and 17% are underweight.

In both cities, the percentage of stunted children has increased over the past year. The data also highlights the plight of children in tribal-dominated districts, where nearly half of the children are stunted. In Sheopur, 51% of children are stunted, while in Shivpuri and Ashoknagar, the corresponding figures are 48% and 47%, respectively.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development launched the Poshan Tracker on March 1, 2021, to support Mission Poshan 2.0. The application aims to monitor and improve the nutrition status of children in the country.

Amidst the widespread malnourishment, obesity among children is emerging as a new challenge in the state. The percentage of obese children in Madhya Pradesh has increased from 2% to 3% over the past year. The districts with high percentages of malnourishment also have a higher proportion of obese children.

The issue of malnutrition among children in Madhya Pradesh is a complex one, requiring a multi-faceted approach to address. The state government and other stakeholders must work together to improve the nutrition status of children and reduce the incidence of malnutrition.

The high rates of malnutrition among children in Madhya Pradesh have significant implications for their health, well-being, and future prospects. It is essential to address this issue urgently to ensure that children in the state have access to adequate nutrition and healthcare.

In conclusion, the data from the Poshan Tracker highlights the need for urgent attention to the issue of malnutrition among children in Madhya Pradesh. The state government and other stakeholders must work together to improve the nutrition status of children and reduce the incidence of malnutrition.