As per NFHS-3 (2005-06) survey, 42.5 % children under 5 years are underweight, 48 % are stunted, 19.8 % are wasted and 40.4% children under 3 years are underweight, 44.9 % are stunted and 22.9% are wasted. The State-wise details of undernutrition and Anemia levels in children are as mentioned below.

Prevalence of Undernutrition in Children and Women, State-wise -- NFHS 3 (2005-06)

Prevalence of Anemia in Children, State-wise -- NFHS 3 (2005-06)

The rate of malnutrition has declined from 42.7% in 1998-99 (NFHS-2) to 40.4% in 2005-06 (NFHS-3) for children below 3 years of age.

Moreover, some survey conducted by State/NGOs also show a declining trend in undernutrition , in  Madhya Pradesh a survey was undertaken by National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) in 2010, Comprehensive Nutrition Survey (CNSM) in Maharashtra, 2012. Besides, the Hungama survey 2011 covering 112 districts in 9 States by an NGO indicates a reduction in the prevalence of child underweight.

The Government has accorded high priority to the issue of malnutrition in the country and is implementing several schemes/programmes of different Ministries/Departments through State Governments/UT Administrations. All these schemes and through declining trend does indicate potential to improvement in one or other aspect of Nutrition indicators.

The problem of malnutrition is complex, multi-dimensional and inter-generational in nature, and cannot be improved by a single sector alone.  The causes are varied and include inadequate consumption of food, frequent infections, lack of availability of safe drinking water and proper  sanitation,  illiteracy specially in women, poor access to health services,  low purchasing power, socio-cultural factors such as early marriages of girls, lack of care during pregnancy and infancy,  ignorance about nutritional needs of infants and young children etc.

Nutrition has been receiving attention at the highest levels. Recent decisions of Government inter alia, include (i) strengthening and restructuring of the ICDS with special focus on pregnant and lactating mothers and children under three including International Development Association(World Bank) assisted ICDS Systems Strengthening and Nutrition Improvement Project (ISSNIP) in 8 states having higher under nutrition.  (ii) amulti-sectoral programme to address the maternal and child malnutrition in selected 200 high-burden districts.  (iii) A nationwide information, education and communication campaign (iv) bringing in strong nutrition focus in  Ministries dealing with Health, Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation, School Education, Agriculture and Food & Public Distribution.  The National Food Security Act 2013is also a step towards contributing to food security. The National Food Security Act 2013 is also a step towards contributing to household food security. A Pilot Scheme on Nutri-farm by Ministry of Agriculture is being implemented in 100 high malnutrition burden districts of 9 states during the year 2013-14.

This was stated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.

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MV