Hyderabad: National Nutrition Week is celebrated every year from September 1 to 7 with the main aim of raising awareness about the critical importance of nutrition and access to nutritious food for all. This year, the theme of Nutrition Week is “Healthy, Affordable Food for All.”
Vital for health: Just like a vehicle depends on gasoline to function, the human body depends on food to function properly. Proper nutrition is essential for overall health, physical and mental development, and the proper functioning of body systems. Unfortunately, many people, especially children, face malnutrition for various reasons.
Child development: Nutrition plays a central role in the physical and mental development of individuals, particularly children. The National Nutrition Week, organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, aims to create awareness among people about the benefits of a balanced and nutritious diet and create awareness about related government policies and programs.
Historical context: National Nutrition Week began in 1982, initiated by the Food and Nutrition Board of the Government of India, with the aim of reducing malnutrition rates, especially among children, and highlighting the importance nutrition.
In fact, before India, such events were already organized in other countries with the aim of creating more awareness about nutritional needs. Internationally, the first National Nutrition Week was organized by the American Dietetic Association or currently known as the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in March 1975. Organized with the aim of promoting the dietetic profession and raising awareness the population to the nutritional needs of the population. body, this week-long event not only received a positive response from the local people but also appreciated the efforts being made on the global stage. After that, in 1980, this event was celebrated for a month instead of a week.
Government Efforts: India’s Ministry of Women and Child Development adopted the concept in 1982, dedicating the first week of September as National Nutrition Week. These include seminars, workshops, educational programs, conferences and public awareness campaigns, organized by government and non-government entities.
Fight malnutrition: Good childhood nutrition is crucial for physical and mental growth, enabling children to learn, play and contribute to society. In addition, special attention is paid to combating malnutrition among pregnant women. Government initiatives and policies have significantly increased awareness and access to nutritious foods, leading to a substantial decline in malnutrition among children aged 0-6 years.
Government programs: The Indian government implements various programs to combat malnutrition, including:
- “Saksham Anganwadi and Mission Nutrition 2.0”, with 13.9 lakh Anganwadi centers.
- Nutrition programs in Anganwadi centers, schools and Gram Panchayat levels.
- “Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandan Yojana” to support pregnant women.
- Nutrition distribution program for pregnant and lactating mothers, which registers them for “Anganwadi” services.
Read also : Nutritional support shown to prevent tuberculosis and associated deaths in India: Lancet study
Read also : Consumption of added sugars may increase risk of kidney stones: study
