Ranchi: According to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-6, Jharkhand has 22.3% of children under five years suffering from acute malnutrition, classified as wasting. This figure is significantly above the national average of 19%. The state reported a negligible change from the previous NFHS-5 survey, which recorded 22% wasting. At the national level, the percentage of wasted children saw a slight decline from 19.3% in NFHS-5 to 19% in NFHS-6.
Urban and Rural Disparities
The recent report highlights that 20.4% of urban children and 22.6% of rural children under five years are affected by malnutrition. This indicates a higher prevalence in rural areas.
Underweight Children on the Rise
The percentage of underweight children under five years in Jharkhand has increased from 39.4% in NFHS-5 to 41.1% in NFHS-6. In contrast, the national average for underweight children decreased from 32.1% to 31.8% during the same period.
Stunting Shows Improvement
Stunting, or low height for age, among children under five in Jharkhand has dropped to 35% in NFHS-6 from 39.6% in NFHS-5. However, this figure remains above the national average of 29.3%.
Reasons Behind High Malnutrition
Experts attribute the high child malnutrition rates to inadequate feeding practices and poverty in various pockets of the state. Dr. Partha Kumar Choudhary, professor at the RIMS Pediatrics Department, explained: "Wasting is a critical indicator of malnutrition, closely linked to a high risk of child mortality. Poverty can be a major reason for the higher percentage of malnourished children compared to the national average. Many families in rural areas have a single breadwinner supporting multiple dependents, which impacts the nutrition of all family members, especially children."
Dr. Choudhary added that lack of awareness about appropriate feeding practices is another factor. "Many parents rely on packaged milk powder for babies, although breastfeeding should be continued for at least six months to ensure a healthy life for the child," he said.
