This story is from July 6, 2015

Rajasthan has over 36% children with stunted growth: survey

Efforts are being made to intensify the fight against malnutrition among the children in the state, but still Rajasthan has 36.5% of children (under-5 years), who have stunted growth.The situation is grave in rural areas.
Rajasthan has over 36% children with stunted growth: survey
JAIPUR: Efforts are being made to intensify the fight against malnutrition among the children in the state, but still Rajasthan has 36.5% of children (under-5 years), who have stunted growth. The situation is grave in rural areas. Out of total children in rural areas, there are 39.1% children with stunted growth. Besides, 11.2% children are severely underweight in the state, shows Rapid Survey on Children Report (RSCR), which is prepared by UNICEF and the union Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Over the past few years, the government has stepped up efforts and set up malnutrition treatment centres. Also, it is distributing vitamin A doses, iron and folic acid supplement and de-worming medication as measures to deal with malnutrition and related health problems. The special focus of the state government to improve health of children is on the districts which are tribal and high focused districts, with not so good health indicators.
The RSCR report is not released officially but it is a draft and kept as embargoed till dissemination.
If comparing the figures of RSCR with national family health survey (NFHS)-3 (2005-06), the state has improved slightly in children's health. As per NFHS-3, there were 44% of children under five years, who were stunted or too short for their age. But, as per the RSCR, the total percentage of children in the state is 36.5%. In rural areas, it is 39.1% and in urban areas it is 28.6%.
As far as underweight children are concerned, the NFHS-3 shows that there were 40% children who were underweight. But, the latest RSCR shows that there are 31.5% children who are underweight. In rural area, the problem is even more serious as 34% children are found underweight. In urban areas, there are 23.8% children, who are underweight. According to experts, the poor health during childhood generally has negative impact throughout their life.

In the state, there are 11.2% of children who are severely underweight, the RSCR shows. Such children require proper medication. Such children with severe wasted (weight for height) growth are 2.9% and 14.2% in comparison to those with wasted growth. The percentage of severely stunted (height for age) growth were 36.5%.
Category NFHS-3RSCR
Stunted growth44%36.5%
Underweight40%31.5%
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA