Central Idea

According to the Joint Malnutrition Estimates (JME) by UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank, India has shown a reduction in stunting among children under five.

Such reports (including NFHS) are credible sources of information to substantiate your answers in Mains answer writing ….

What is Stunting and Wasting?

	Stunting	Wasting
Definition	Impaired growth and development due to chronic malnutrition.	Rapid weight loss and muscle wasting in a short period.
Measurement	Height-for-age comparison against standardized growth reference.	Weight-for-height comparison against standardized growth reference.
Causes	Insufficient intake of essential nutrients, frequent infections, poor maternal health.	Inadequate caloric intake, poor feeding practices, infectious diseases.
Effects	Irreversible consequences, reduced cognitive development, increased disease vulnerability.	Increased morbidity and mortality, severe malnutrition.
Time Frame	Long-term condition	Short-term condition
Overall Nutritional Status	Reflects chronic malnutrition	Represents acute malnutrition
Focus	Impacts growth and development	Impacts weight and muscle mass

The prevalence of stunting in India dropped from 41.6% in 2012 to 31.7% in 2022, with 1.6 crore fewer stunted children recorded.
India’s share of the global burden of stunting declined from 30% to 25% in the past decade.

Wasting remains a concern in India, with an overall prevalence of 18.7% in 2022.
India contributes 49% to the global burden of wasting, reflecting the severity of this malnutrition indicator.
Two-thirds of wasting cases in India may be attributed to maternal malnutrition, leading to low birth weight for height.

The prevalence of obesity in India increased marginally from 2.2% in 2012 to 2.8% in 2022.
India’s obesity classification remains low compared to the global prevalence of 5.6%.
Obesity contributes to 8.8% of the global burden, with 31.8 lakh obese children in India.

The JME report highlights the need for accelerated efforts to achieve global nutrition targets.
India’s progress aligns with the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data, indicating a reduction in stunting.
More research is needed to understand the complexities of wasting, particularly its links to maternal malnutrition.
Continued focus on addressing malnutrition, access to health services, and maternal nutrition is crucial for further improvement.
Learning more about wasting and its determinants will be essential for tailored interventions in India and Asia.