National Nutrition Week (NNW) is annually observed across India from September 1 to 7, to educate people about the importance of proper nutrition and balanced diet, and promote healthy eating habits and lifestyle choices.
- This annual event aims to tackle malnutrition and educate the public on the vital role of balanced nutrition in maintaining health and preventing diseases.
Background:
i.The NNW has been celebrated in India as a mass awareness campaign since 1982 by the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB), under the purview of the MWCD, Government of India (GoI).
ii.The first NNW was observed from 1st to 7th September 1982.
Points to Note:
i.FNB was a technical wing of the MWCD responsible for providing technical and logistical support for community nutrition programs.
ii.The MWCD dissolved the FNB as part of a government initiative to rationalise government bodies and improve efficiency.
iii.The FNB was originally established under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) but later transferred to the MWCD in 1993.
- It ceased operations on 1 December 2023.
Launch of Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2024:
i.The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) launched the 7th Rashtriya Poshan Maah (National Nutrition Month) on 31 August 2024 from Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- Rashtriya Poshan Maah is celebrated annually in September to ensure community mobilisation and bolster people’s participation.
ii.The month-long campaign aims to support efforts against malnutrition and promote holistic well-being throughout India.
Key People: The launch event was graced by Union Minister Annpurna Devi, MWCD, Bhupendrabhai Patel, Chief Minister (CM) of Gujarat, and Bhanuben Babariya, Minister of WCD, Government of Gujarat.
Theme: The Poshan Maah 2024 will focus on themes such as Anaemia, Growth Monitoring, Complementary Feeding, Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi (PBPB), Technology for better Governance, and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (a nationwide plantation drive).
Significance:
i.Poshan Maah is evolving into a nationwide festival and is transforming into a Jan Andolan.
ii.Through Mission Poshan 2.0, the MWCD is dedicated to combating malnutrition among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers across India.
Initiatives:
i.Nutri Baskets for pregnant and lactating mothers were provided, and Annaprashan for infants was held.
ii.An exhibition organised during the event showcased several vital initiatives, including the Poshan Tracker, Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi, and other state-specific nutrition and safety programs like ‘Vangi Pradarshan’ and the 181 helplines.
iii.Several regional cultural performances were organised on important themes like breastfeeding and complementary feeding, underscoring the importance of nutrition.
Significance:
i.During the NNW, the MWCD implements week-long programs to promote healthy eating and proper nutrition for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
ii.The Poshan Abhiyaan (previously the National Nutrition Mission (NNM)), India’s flagship program was launched in March 2018 to improve nutritional outcomes for children (up to the age of 6), pregnant women, nursing mothers, and lactating mothers aiming for holistic nutrition.
iii.Under the Poshan Abhiyan, over 3.17 crore community-based programs have been conducted in the last 4 years.
What is Malnutrition?
i.Malnutrition refers to an imbalance in nutrient intake, including deficiencies, excesses, or impaired nutrient utilization.
ii.It manifests in 2 forms: undernutrition and overweight and obesity, often leading to diet-related Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Forms of Undernutrition:
i.Wasting is defined as low weight-for-height, often due to inadequate food intake or frequent illness. It poses a high risk of death in children if untreated.
ii.Stunting is defined as Low height-for-age, resulting from chronic undernutrition. It hampers children’s physical and cognitive development.
iii.Underweight is defined as low weight-for-age, indicating stunting, wasting, or both.
About the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD):
Union Minister– Annpurna Devi (Constituency- Kodarma, Jharkhand)
Minister of State (MoS)– Savitri Thakur (Constituency- Dhar, Madhya Pradesh)
