Two Most Common Epidemic Nutritional Deficien...

Two Most Common Epidemic Nutritional Deficiencies in Indian Children (Under 5 years): A Review Analysis

Author Name : Kanishka Singh, Dr. Pankaj Chhabra

ABSTRACT

Background: Need of balanced nutrition according to age and growth & developmental concerns is an unquestionable and essential basic need for all children who later grow as complete adults.Adequate nutrition holds prime position in early growth & developmental years on children is because of prime reasons firstly, their bodies at this stage of post-natal life besides attaining some physical & cognitive stability are still rapidly growing & developing; and secondly, due to rapid growth & developmental rates they have increased demand for nutrients for their body which can effectively support them with healthy growth & undelayed development. World & India are leading in NDDsspecifically malnourishment & anemia (IDD) among young children, particularly of U5 years of age, are the serious public health & nutrition concern.

Objective: The objective of this study was to unearth the most commonly prevalent nutritional deficiency diseases (NDDs) among preschool aged children (<5 yrs.).

Materials & Methods: Published data and secondary researches on the incidences and prevalence of NDDs among children under-5 years worldwide and in major Indian states. Systematic review and analysis was done to investigate & observe the higher occurring nutritional issues among U5 children.

Results: GNR 2021, 149.2 million U5 children were stunted, 45.4 million were wasted and 38.9 million were overweight. Global prevalence of anemia is also very high and 1 out of 2 children has been found to be anemic globally.India is in a critical status regarding childhood malnutrition and anemia in preschool aged children group.India ranked 101 in GHI and 33.23 lakh were estimated malnourished in latest reports. Indian urban (65.3%) and rural (66.7%) anemia prevalence had been reported in NFHS-5.

Conclusions: World is fighting with triple burden of NDDs.Malnutrition& anemia are the two major epidemic nutritional deficiencies among children under 5 yrs. of age, and are also much prevalent in school-aged children.

Key Words: Epidemic, Nutritional Deficiencies, Preschool, Children, Under-5 years

Abbreviations:

U5 – Under 5 years, NDDs – Nutritional Deficiency Diseases,IDD – Iron Deficiency Disease, NCDs – Non-Communicable Diseases,KAP – Knowledge, Attitude & Practices, GNR – Global Nutrition Report, DBM – Double Burden of Malnutrition, GHI – Global Hunger Index, MUAC – Mid Upper Arm Circumference, NNMB – national Nutrition Monitoring Bureau