National Nutrition Month: Empowerment with Nutrition

Nutrition has the power to build progressive societies, prosperous economies and a developed world.

Quality nutrition sets the foundation for an individual’s health and prosperity. Adequate nutrition is essential from one’s time in the womb to help build a strong immune system and well-developed physical and cognitive abilities. But if one fails to receive it during this period, it can significantly suppress their ability to be productive and enjoy a prosperous future.

According to a new report ‘Undernourished and Overlooked: A Global Nutrition Crisis in Adolescent Girls and Women’ released by UNICEF in 2023, the number of pregnant and breastfeeding adolescent girls and women suffering from acute malnutrition has risen by 25 per cent in 12 countries since 2020. Furthermore, The Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates (JME) in 2023 disclose inadequate advancement to reach the 2025 World Health Assembly (WHA) global nutrition targets and SDG target 2.2. Only about a third of all nations are ‘on track’ to halve the number of children affected by stunting by 2030.

Consequently, malnourishment persisting among millions can adversely affect a nation’s potential, hindering its progress on multiple fronts. It cuts productivity, raises healthcare costs, perpetuates the cycle of poverty and ill health and slows economic growth.

To effectively tackle the malice of undernutrition affecting women and children, the Ministry of Women and Child Development in India — the nodal ministry for POSHAN Abhiyaan, in addition to its other feeding initiatives, also organises programmes annually to promote positive nutritional behaviours. The decision to observe September as the National Nutrition Month or Rashtriya Poshan Maah every year was taken during the second meeting of the National Council on India's Nutrition Challenges under the POSHAN Abhiyaan (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) held in July 2018.

Consequently, every September, hospitals, nutritionists, dieticians and NGOs arrange live demonstrations, workshops and social media campaigns around nutrition. They aim to educate people on personal food choices and health issues related to under- and overnutrition like stunting, anaemia and low birth weight in children.

National Nutrition Month: Focus Areas

National Nutrition Month especially focuses on the well-being of adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers to enhance their nutritional status. Optimal breastfeeding, growth monitoring, hygiene and sanitation, food fortification and girls' education, diet and marriage at the right age etc. are at the heart of all awareness-creation efforts.
The awareness campaigns also revolve around teaching children about nutrition and healthy eating practices. This comes with an added opportunity to promote the long-term well-being of local communities as children are likely to pass on the information they receive to their friends and families. Additionally, nourished children will be more productive, attain their physical and cognitive potential and grow up to strive for economic progress.

PM POSHAN Abhiyaan (previously the Mid-Day Meal or MDM Scheme) for children in government and government-aided schools across India is another impactful government initiative to achieve a healthy and educated nation. Balanced MDMs reach millions of children in these schools every school day, helping them meet their nutritional requirements and be healthy and energetic to be attentive in both, curricular and co-curricular activities, thus progressing towards a better future.

In closing…

Let’s come together this September to help spread the word about nutrition and good eating habits so that everyone has an equal opportunity to live a healthy and productive life. You can also contribute online or volunteer with NGOs that provide nutritious meals and nutritional education to those who may not have regular access to them otherwise.

The more nourished our people are, the faster we grow as a nation!
Let’s become a part of the solution!