Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction

• Definition of ‘Zero Food’ Children: Explain what ‘zero food’ children are—infants aged 6 to 23 months who have not consumed significant calories in 24 hours.
• Context: Mention the alarming statistic of 5.9 million ‘zero food’ children in India and the increase from 17.2% in 2016 to 17.8% in 2021.

2. Importance of Maternal Nutrition

• Critical Development Period: Emphasize that the first 1000 days of a child’s life are crucial for nutritional development.
  • Fact: Maternal health impacts child health significantly during this period.
• Impact of Maternal Undernutrition:
  • Fact: Maternal undernutrition accounts for about 20% of childhood stunting in India.
  • Fact: 20-30% of infants experience undernutrition even during exclusive breastfeeding.
• Consequences of Anaemia:
  • Fact: Over 57% of women aged 15-49 suffer from anaemia (NFHS-5).
  • Fact: India loses up to 1.18% of GDP annually due to iron deficiency.

3. Strategies to Prioritize Maternal Nutrition

• Increased Financial Commitment:
  • Fact: Programs like Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 have seen marginal budget increases; 32% of POSHAN Abhiyaan funds were not utilized.
• Empowering Frontline Health Workers (FHWs):
  • Stress the need for regular training and support for FHWs to enhance service delivery and nutritional outcomes.
• Focus on Adolescents:
  • Highlight the importance of promoting dietary diversity among adolescent girls, given the 5% rise in anaemia noted in NFHS-5.
• Awareness Campaigns:
  • Propose campaigns that educate mothers on nutrition during the first 1000 days to improve health outcomes and reduce gender bias.
• Addressing Hidden Hunger:
  • Fact: 80% of adolescents suffer from micronutrient deficiencies. Focus on addressing deficiencies in iron, folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and zinc.

4. Conclusion

• Recap Importance: Reiterate the necessity of prioritizing maternal nutrition to combat ‘zero food’ children.
• Call to Action: Emphasize the need for comprehensive strategies to improve maternal health and nutrition, contributing to a ‘Kuposhan-Mukt Bharat’.

Relevant Facts and Sources

• 5.9 million ‘zero food’ children: Current statistic highlighting the need for intervention.
• Increase from 17.2% to 17.8%: Data showing the worsening situation.
• Maternal Undernutrition: Contributes to 20% of childhood stunting (source: health studies).
• Anaemia Statistics: Over 57% of women aged 15-49 suffer from anaemia (source: NFHS-5).
• GDP Loss: India loses 1.18% of GDP annually due to iron deficiency (source: economic reports).

This roadmap provides a structured approach to answering the question while integrating relevant facts effectively.