National Nutrition Week(NNW) has been annually observed across India in the first week of September since 1982. The day aims to create awareness about the benefits of eating a nutritious diet and the importance of nutrition in maintaining better health, which impacts national development.
- The theme of National Nutrition Week(NNW) 2021 is ‘feeding smart right from start’.
- The National Nutrition Week(NNW) 2021 is observed from 1st to 7th September 2021.
Background:
i.The National Nutrition Week (NNW) was initiated in 1982 as a Mass Awareness Campaign by the Food and Nutrition Board under the Ministry of Women and Child Development(MWCD), Government of India.
ii.The first NNW was observed from 1st to 7th September 1982.
Note:
The NNW was first marked in 1975 by the member of the American Dietetic Association(ADA), which is now the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Poshan Abhiyan:
i.In 2018, The Government of India launched Poshan Abhiyan or Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition, a multi-ministerial convergence mission to address malnutrition in a targeted approach.
ii.The Poshan Abhiyan was previously known as the National Nutrition Mission.
iii.The scheme aims to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women and lactating mothers.
Targets:
- To reduce stunting, underweight, and low birth weight, each by 6% at 2% per year
- To reduce anaemia among young children, adolescents and women each by 9% at 3% per year
- To achieve malnutrition free India by 2022.
‘Thematic’ Poshan Maah:
i.The MWCD is set to celebrate the month of September as the ‘Thematic’ POSHAN Maah(Nutrition Month).
ii.The month is subdivided into weekly themes focused on improving Holistic Nutrition.
Poshan Pakhwada 2021(Nutrition Fortnight) – 16th to 31st March
i.MWCD celebrated ‘Poshan Pakhwada’ (Nutrition Fortnight) across India under the POSHAN Abhiyaan.
ii.The Poshan Pakhwada 2021 was observed from 16th to 31st March 2021.
About Ministry of Women and Child Development(MWCD):
Union Minister– Smriti Zubin Irani(Constituency- Amethi, Uttar Pradesh)
Minister of State– Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai (Constituency- Surendranagar, Gujarat)
