Global Nutrition Targets : Report
A recent Lancet study evaluating global progress on Global Nutrition Targets (GNTs) from 2012 to 2021 showed slow progress in tackling maternal and child malnutrition, undernutrition, and overweight.
- The findings raise concerns about policy design and the need for innovative strategies to address these ongoing issues.
Key Findings of the Study:
- Slow and Insufficient Progress: Across 204 countries, there has been slow and insufficient progress in meeting the GNTs from 2012 to 2021, with projections up to 2050 showing limited success.
- Few countries are expected to meet the targets for stunting in children under 5.
- None of the countries are projected to meet the targets for low birth weight, anaemia, and childhood overweight by 2030.
- Anaemia and India: Anaemia in India has remained static for two decades.
- Iron deficiency is assumed to be the cause but accounts for only one-third of anaemia cases, unknown causes contribute to the other significant third.
- Anaemia prevalence increased during the Covid-19 lockdown when school meals (Midday Meal Scheme) stopped, highlighting the need for a broader nutrition approach.
- The study found discrepancies in anaemia measurements, in India, venous blood-based (blood is drawn from a vein) anaemia prevalence (as recommended by WHO) was half that of capillary blood-based (blood is taken from a fingertip) prevalence in national surveys.
- Stunting: Stunting often develops within the first two years of life, increasing from 7–8% at birth to 40% by age two in India.
- Overfeeding children after age 2 years may lead to being overweight rather than correcting stunting.
- Poor children in India consume only 7 grams of fat per day, against the required 30–40 grams .
- Childhood Overweight: Overweight among children is increasing globally, including in India, contributing to “metabolic overnutrition,” which could lead to chronic health problems such as non-communicable diseases.
- A significant portion of Indian children (50%) face metabolic overnutrition, which contributes to non-communicable diseases.
Global Nutrition Targets (GNTs):
- World Health Assembly Resolution, 2012: Endorsed a Comprehensive Implementation Plan on maternal, infant, and young child nutrition, setting six global nutrition targets for 2025.
- Global Nutrition Targets:
- Achieve a 40% reduction in the number of children under-5 who are stunted.
- Achieve a 50% reduction in anaemia in women of reproductive age.
- Achieve a 30% reduction in low birth weight.
- Ensure that there is no increase in childhood overweight.
- Increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the first 6 months to at least 50%.
- Reduce and maintain childhood wasting to less than 5%.
