Malnutrition problem continues to haunt MP

Bhopal, Dec 23 (UNI) The problem of stunted growth in children -- under three years of age -- due to malnutrition has come down in Madhya Pradesh but the dilemma of wasted and under-weight children has intensified, according to a survey carried out between April-August, 2006.

According to the National Family Health Survey-3 (2005-06) report, stunted growth of children continued to haunt but the severity had reduced to 40 per cent from 49 per cent during the NFHS-2 survey conducted in 1998-99.

However, the percentage of wasted and under-weight children rose from 20 per cent to 33 per cent and from 54 per cent to 60 per cent respectively.

An analysis of the statistics of the report reveals that the situation of long-term malnutrition had improved but the problem of short-term malnutrition continued to worry.

The ill effects of malnutrition was visible on the height and weight of children besides becoming cause of their illness and death.

Although IMR (infant mortality rate) in the state had fallen from 88 per thousand in NFHS-2 to 70 per cent per thousand in NFHS-3, results were far from satisfactory.

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