As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4 (2015-16), 35.7 per cent children below five years are underweight

National Family Health Survey

As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-4 (2015-16), 35.7 per cent children below five years are underweight, 38.4 per cent are stunted and 21 per cent are wasted in the country. In the State of Madhya Pradesh 42.8 per cent children below five years are underweight, 42 per cent are stunted and 25.8 per cent are wasted.

The indicator Children under 5 years who are underweight (weight-for-age) is one of the composite indicator for child malnutrition. As per NFHS-4 data, the national average of children under 5 years who are underweight has reduced from 42.5% as reported in NFHS-3(2005-06) to 35.7% in NFHS-4(2015-16) and in the State of Madhya Pradesh during the same period, underweight children under 5 years has gone down from 60%(NFHS-3) (2005-06) to 42.8%(NFHS-4). Further in the State of Madhya Pradesh the districts Barwani&Sheopur have reported highest (55%) of children under 5 years who are underweight during 2015-16 (NFHS-4).

Report on Medical Certification of Cause of Death (MCCD) gives statistics on Cause of death obtained through Civil Registration System under Registration of Births and Deaths Act 1969. It is published annually by Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India.

Central governments have initiated various programs like MAA (Mothers Absolute Affection) to promote exclusive breast feeding; PradhanMantriSurakshitMatritvaAbhiyan; and issued the following guidelines to the state governments including Madhya Pradesh to combat the challenges of malnutrition in the country.

i. Operational Guidelines on Facility Based Management of Children with Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).

ii. Guidelines for Management of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) Children at Nutrition Rehabilitation Centre (NRC)

iii. Central government have also issued guidelines on India Newborn Action Plan (INAP) to all the state governments.

iv. National guidelines for enhancing optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.

v. Operational guidelines on Home Based Newborn Care (HBNC) and Facility Based Newborn Care (FBNC).

vi. National Iron Plus Initiative (NIPI) for anaemia control among children from 6 to 60 months of age.

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