Under Swastha Bharat, six GNTs to be achieved by 2025

New Delhi, October 17: Since 1991, India's 50% of the increase in GDP, more than one-third of the world's malnourished children live in India. To tackle the malnourishment, the Health Ministry has set the six Global Nutrition Targets (GNTs) to be achieved by 2025 and also made the strategies to improve Nutrition status on Monday.

 

Stunting, Anaemia, Low Birth Weight, Childhood Overweight, Exclusive Breastfeeding, Childhood Wasting have been targeted by the MoH which should be reduced until 2025 under Swastha Bharat.

 

By 2025, Stunting to be reduced by 40 percent for children aged between 0-5 years. Stunting reflects chronic under-nutrition during the most critical periods of growth and development in early life. While 50% reduction of Anaemia to be achieved in women of reproductive age. Anemia is a decrease in the total amount of red blood cells (RBCs) or hemoglobin in the blood, or a lowered ability of the blood to carry oxygen.

 

30% reduction in Low Birth Weight to be achieved and also ensure that there will be no increase in the childhood overweight. The rate of Exclusive Breastfeeding will be increased by 50% in the first six months. The childhood wasting will be reduced by 5%. It is a strong predictor of mortality among children under five.

The strategies to improve the nutrition status includes the promotion of cultivating nutri-rich crop varieties by demonstrating improved production technology. Secondly, through Self Help Groups (SHGs), the commercial cultivation of specified crops will be encouraged and the development of supply chain of nutria rich produce to vulnerable sections of the society.