India, the world’s most populous country, is facing severe malnutrition among all age groups due to inadequate nutrient intake. Around 7.7% of children suffer from malnutrition, with 43 lakh children being either too short, too thin, or obese. Adolescents are often neglected in nutrition and health, leading to micronutrient deficiencies in iron, folate, vitamins, and zinc. However, malnutrition can be prevented through raising awareness about nutrition, hygiene, and a balanced diet.
Malnutrition rates are highest in Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand, and Assam, with inadequate data on adolescent healthcare and nutrition hindering efforts to promote nutrition and eliminate malnutrition among youth.
The Nourishing Schools Foundation is working to address malnutrition in northeastern states by raising awareness of nutrition among 4th to 9th grade school students using data-driven models to understand the challenges in providing nutrition to adolescents. Ms. Archana Sinha, Co-founder and CEO, of Nourishing Schools Foundation said, “Schoolchildren belonging to the tea garden workers’ community were also enabled to be self-aware and reverse malnutrition by engaging with our Nourishing Schools toolkits as a part of various school subjects.”
