The UNICEF has teamed up with the Indian government to conduct the first ever national survey to measure nutrition levels among the country’s children.

Data is being collected to quantify deficiencies of micro nutrients, vitamins and minerals, as well as worm infestation among children.

According to UNICEF, the findings of the exercise will start trickling in early next year.

A total of 1.2 lakh children in the age group of 0-19 years are being surveyed through systematic random sampling as part of the exercise. The survey has been completed in seven States and will be concluded in another five by the end of this year, it said.

All States are expected to be covered by the end of 2017.

UNICEF’s Nutrition Specialist Jee Hyun Rah explained how lack of data leads to gaps in government policy which can be addressed through this comprehensive ‘National Nutrition Survey’.

“In terms of nutritional aspect, there is just one intervention from the Government of India in order to fight anaemia: by providing folic acid and iron supplements. But anaemia is caused not merely because of iron deficiency, but also due to a whole bunch of nutritional deficiencies like Vitamin A, folic acid, zinc and even protein deficiency,” Rah said.

UNICEF said indicators for over-nutrition (which causes obesity and diabetes) are also being calculated through body composition and fat distribution as part of the study.

Importantly, association between lack of nourishment and its impact on school readiness, cognitive development and educational outcomes will also be determined, it said.

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