Inviting suggestions on balanced diet for National Nutrition Month

A balanced diet is of utmost importance to maintain a healthy body. Malnutrition has always been a major challenge in the development of women and children. With an aim to create a healthy state and a healthy country, September 1 to 30 is being celebrated as National Nutrition Month. As a part of this, Women and Child Development Department, Madhya Pradesh, is also organizing several programmes related to awareness on nutrition at the state, district, development block and anganwadi-level under a unique initiative called ‘Har Ghar Poshan Vyavahar’.

Poor nutrition is detrimental for the body and health. Below mentioned are some startling facts about nutrition that everybody should know:

Almost 69% of children and 52.5% of pregnant women are anaemic.
42% of children under the age of 5 are stunted.
38% of children between the age group of 6 to 8 months receive a solid, semi-solid diet with breastfeeding.
Owing to deficiency of micronutrient (micromineral, vitamins etc), children become malnourished and anaemic. Thus, it is essential that children receive adequate diet after 6 months.
Dietary diversity of women between 15 to 49 years of age is abnormally low, with only 20% of women consuming food from all five groups.
Women in the most reproductive age do not get the required variety of diet required from adolescence to old age. This causes severe anaemia among them.

How can these nutritional deficiencies be met with? Below mentioned are few ways:

Ensuring nutritious food for families, pregnant women and especially children up to 5 years of age.
Providing iron and vitamin-rich food to pregnant women.

Preparing wholesome food that include all types of pulses, green leafy vegetables, dry fruits, seasonal fruits, lettuce, jaggery, black sesame, legumes, milk and milk products. Consumption of these will prevent blood loss, deficiency of iron, vitamins, etc.

A balanced diet is an important requirement for everyone, including newborns. Thus, mothers should only breastfeed their babies in the first six months. After the baby is six months old, she/he should be fed a balanced diet in the right amount. Fluidity and nutritional diversity are extremely important.

Women and Child Development Department, Madhya Pradesh, is inviting your ideas and suggestions about the campaign. Share your thoughts on the following lines at mp.mygov.in
*Does your plate have food from all groups?
*Do pregnant women receive all the required nutrients?
*Do children below 5 years eat proper food?

If proper nutrition is synonymous to good health, how can this information be disseminated to all?
Let’s join hands and build an India that is strong, healthy, and free of malnutrition.