National Nutrition Week: Government to focus on child malnourishment

NEW DELHI: The Women and Child Development Ministry has decided to intensify its efforts in battling malnourishment among children as it prepares to observe National Nutrition Week from September 1 to 7.

As per a recent UNICEF survey report, almost all states have performed poorly in reducing the number of underweight and stunted children.

To be celebrated with the theme of 'Better Nutrition: Key to Development', National Nutrition Week 2015 will be marked by organising state-level workshops, lectures, exhibitions and showcasing films on the importance of nutrition.

"The Food and Nutrition Board through its 43 Community and Food Nutrition Extension Units located in 29 states and Union Territories will coordinate with concerned departments of all 35 states/UTs, national institutions, NGOs to organise state-level workshop, orientation training of field personnel, awareness generation camps, community meetings during the week on the specified theme," a senior Ministry official said.

The Ministry has also decided to dedicate one day -- September 3 -- of the week-long celebration to generate nationwide nutrition awareness.

It has written to all other ministries and related departments and institutions to organise a list of activities specifically on this day which includes symposiums, quiz and painting competitions, weighing campaigns at anganwaadis, talk shows and group discussions, community awareness programmes and rallies.

As per the UNICEF report, which is yet to be published entirely, performances of Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh in reducing the number of child stunting cases and underweight children are worse than the national average.