From Children To A Healthy Nation: Nutrition Matters

By Author: The Akshaya Patra Foundation
Total Articles: 117
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The whole world is striving to alleviate malnutrition. In the global efforts to achieve the SDGs by 2030, India is making progress as well. However, the issue still persists and the country continues to combat it by implementing initiatives and programmes.

Malnutrition: Definition, Causes and Challenges

“Malnutrition refers to deficiencies, excesses or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. The term malnutrition covers two broad groups of conditions. One is undernutrition, which includes stunting (low height for age), wasting (low weight for height), underweight (low weight for age) and micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals). The other is overweight, obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases (such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer).”

- World Health Organisation
For a balanced diet, dietary diversity is the key. People should follow a diet that includes carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. However, for many families in India, even having three meals a day is a challenge, making discussions about ...
... dietary diversity ineffective.

Fresh fruits, vegetables and milk are not a daily reality in every household. Hence, satisfying hunger is the immediate priority, and thus, nutrition takes a backseat.
There are three main reasons for malnutrition:
• Lack of access to nutritious meals
• Lack of affordability of nutritious meals
• Lack of awareness about healthy eating habits

Therefore, addressing malnutrition requires both access to nutrition and education on healthy diets.

Government’s Initiatives to Combat Malnutrition

The Government of India has undertaken a slew of measures to address this issue. It includes:
• Mission POSHAN 2.0 (POSHAN Abhiyaan/ National Nutrition Mission)
Launched by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, it aims to combat malnutrition among children below the age of six years, pregnant and lactating mothers and adolescent girls.

• PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal Scheme)
Implemented by the Ministry of Education, this programme serves mid-day meals to children in class I to VIII in government and government-aided schools.

• Anaemia Mukt Bharat
Executed under the National Health Mission to reduce the prevalence of anaemia in multiple age and population groups.

• Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
Implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, it provides cash benefits to pregnant and lactating mothers to improve their maternal nutrition.
While these schemes aim to address malnutrition at a national level, children remain the most vulnerable due to their increased nutritional needs during their growth and development. Focusing on child nutrition is therefore critical for building a healthy future.

Child Nutrition – A Way to a Healthy Future

Children are more susceptible to the issues of malnutrition. If they don’t get adequate nutrients at the right time, even common illnesses can become deadly, or it can cause lifelong health challenges. The factors that determine the child’s nutritional journey include:
• Socio-economic challenges
• Geographical location
• Parents’ education and their occupation
• Gender disparity

So, supporting child nutrition programmes is essential, and effective collaboration between the government, NGOs, corporates and the public is crucial to reaching every child, especially those in marginalised areas.

NGOs Scale Up Government’s Efforts: Akshaya Patra’s Role

NGOs play a crucial role in supplementing the government’s efforts to ensure children receive adequate nutrition. They act as the bridge between the government and the public, striving to reach every child, especially in marginalised and remote areas in the country.

The Akshaya Patra Foundation is one such NGO, serving nutritional mid-day meals to 2.35 million children every day across India. With a vision: No child in India shall be deprived of education because of hunger, the organisation strives to serve meals to children even in hard-to-reach locations. With state-of-the-art centralised kitchens in 76 locations and decentralised kitchens in 2 locations, the organisation scales up its operations to reach children across the country.

Besides serving mid-day meals, the organisation also implements Morning Nutrition Programme under which they provide children protein bars, roasted peanuts and puffed rice, so that they can start the day nourished and ready to learn.

Akshaya Patra’s Strategies for Improving Child Nutrition

To further enhance child nutrition, the organisation employs several strategies, such as:
• Food Fortification, where rice, salt and oil are fortified to address micronutrient deficiencies
• Incorporation of millets to improve protein and fibre intake
Their consistent efforts have led to improved nutritional status, higher enrolment, better attendance and academic performance among children. In 2024, their work was recognised at the UN Headquarters for serving 4 billion meals, highlighting their global impact.

Support NGOs. Collective Efforts Bring Change

Coordinated efforts are crucial for any programme to bear fruit. When you support NGOs like Akshaya Patra to serve mid-day meals, you are helping children to grow, learn and reach their full potential, nurturing a healthy future generation.

Donate for Children. Empower the Nation

Nourish the hope of children and the country. Support the Government of India’s Mid-Day Meal Programme. Every meal served helps children thrive and enable India stands tall, healthy and proud.

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/