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Current Nutrition & Food Science

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Review Article

Malnutrition: A Longstanding Challenge in India

Author(s): Ritu Saini* and Meenakshi Bajpai

Volume 20, Issue 9, 2024

Published on: 08 December, 2023

Page: [1069 - 1085] Pages: 17

DOI: 10.2174/0115734013280207231120061242

Price: $65

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Abstract

According to the World Health Organization, “malnutrition is the “deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients”. Indian population has the highest rate of adolescent malnutrition. Deficiency, Illness, Small level of education, and a range of other factors contribute to India's malnutrition crisis. Undernutrition, micronutrient deficiency conditions, and overnutrition are all forms of malnutrition. A malnourished always lags in every aspect of life which will eventually affect the productivity of the country. In the 2023 Global Hunger Index, India is positioned at 111th among 125 countries, reflecting a serious level of hunger with a score of 28.7. India is grappling with a substantial population affected by anemia, malnutrition, and obesity. Other than this Indian population is also affected by several other micronutrient deficiencies. The present article provides an overview of the triple burden of malnutrition in India by applying the literature review method and the data were collected from online sources such as government survey reports, articles, and publications related to nutrition, healthcare status, healthcare indicators, nutritional indicators, and healthcare survey reports, etc. A brief introduction of the strategies followed by the Government as well as global health organisations to combat the issue is also discussed.

Keywords: Malnutrition, undernutrition, micronutrient, deficiency, overweight, obesity.

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