National Nutrition Week. Here’s Why And How We Celebrate It

By Author: The Akshaya Patra Foundation
Total Articles: 118
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The National Nutrition Week is observed in India from 1 September to 7 September every year to raise awareness about healthy eating practices among people.

By definition, nutrition is the science of how nutrients and other substances in the food consumed, interact for the maintenance, growth, reproduction and health of an organism.

Thus, the right quality and quantity of nutrition decide the quality and length of a person’s life. Nutritional requirements vary across age, region and gender, and every individual must be aware of them to ensure a disease-free lifestyle.

Importance of nutrition

Focus on nourishment must ideally start in the early years of child development. Expecting and nursing mothers must receive timely balanced meals for the healthy growth of their babies.

Breastfeeding is the next crucial stage in a child’s life. It saves the life of newborns, protects them against diseases and boosts their brain development. According to UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), infants must begin breastfeeding within one hour of birth and must be breastfed for the first six months. ...
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After six months, babies must begin eating their first nutrient-dense meals frequently throughout the day. These meals must comprise a variety of food groups.

Poor diet in these foundational years can lead to chronic deficiencies in essential nutrients, thus weakening children’s immunity, raising the risk of blindness and making them vulnerable to death from common diseases like diarrhoea.

Thus, a balanced supply of macro and micronutrients strengthens their health and longevity. It also decides their concentration power, energy levels, cholesterol levels, well-being and ability to recover from an injury in years to come.

Hence, it will be beneficial for any programme to target the nourishment of expecting and nursing mothers along with that of her children.
Because what they eat and feed will shape the health of the future of any country.

About National Nutrition Week

Internationally, National Nutrition Week was started in the year 1975 when members of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) (now known as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics) decided to spread awareness about nutrition and promote the profession of dieticians.

Identifying similar requirements for India’s healthy future, the Government launched a campaign in 1982 to educate the public about nutrition and its importance. This campaign on National Nutrition Week insisted on maintaining healthy eating habits and a sustainable lifestyle.

During this week, the Government launches workshops, seminars and campaigns to enlighten people about maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

For instance, in 2018, 'POSHAN Abhiyaan' was launched to impart knowledge about issues like anaemia, stunting, wasting, and low birth weight in children due to malnourishment.

Additionally, India's Ministry of Women and Child Development focuses on educating adolescent girls, pregnant women and nursing mothers to help uproot malnutrition in the foundational years of a child, address overall human development and improve social infrastructure.

Donate to end hunger

The Global Hunger Health Index Report 2021 stated that India ranked 101st among 116 countries and that most of the deaths in children were the result of malnutrition.

And with deadly diseases lingering in our surroundings even after the pandemic, maintaining a nutrition-rich diet has become even more critical.

Every individual must have access to balanced meals every day. It should contain whole grains, pulses, fruits, nuts and vegetables that supply carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and fibres for proper functioning of the body.

However, the daily availability of food is only a dream for millions in India.

But you can make it a reality for them by donating to NGOs like Akshaya Patra which has been working with the Government for 21 years to make a hunger-free and healthy India possible.

What started with feeding primary school children every day under the PM Poshan Abhiyaan (formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme), also caters to the nutritional requirements of pregnant women, nursing mothers and helpless widows today. The NGO also feeds disaster victims as the need arises with consistent support from its compassionate donor family.

You can also contribute and make nourishment possible for every individual in India this National Nutrition Week. Any amount can make a big difference in the life of an underprivileged individual.
Donate to end hunger!

I'm a social volunteer, lives in Bengaluru. I do work for NGOs to make society better. Currently I'm working for The Akshaya Patra Foundation. It's an NGO in India which provides wholesome nutritious mid-day meals to government school children to end classroom hunger. https://www.akshayapatra.org/