22.3% kids under 5 years acutely malnourished in state: NFHS-6

Ranchi: The state has 22.3% children under five years with acute malnutrition, classified as wasted, significantly above the national average of 19%, according to the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-6.

The state reported a negligible change in the percentage of such children from NFHS-5 when the figure was 22. At the national level, the percentage witnessed a slight dip from 19.3% in NFHS-5 to 19% in NFHS-6.

According to the recent report, 20.4% of urban and 22.6% of rural children under five years are suffering from malnutrition.

The percentage of underweight children under five years in the state has also increased from 39.4in NFHS-5 to 41.1% in NFHS-6. At the national level, the percentage has decreased from 32.1 in NFHS-5 to 31.8 in NFHS-6.

Stunting (low height) among children under five years in Jharkhand, however, dropped to 35% in NFHS-6 rom 39.6% in NFHS-5. However, the figure remained above the national average of 29.3%.

Experts attributed the reasons behind the higher child malnutrition cases to inadequate feeding practices and poverty in various pockets in the state.

“Wasting is one of the critical indicators of malnutrition, as it is closely linked to high risk of child mortality. Poverty can be one of the reasons behind a higher percentage of malnourished children than the national average. Many families in rural areas have a sole breadwinner, with many mouths to feed. It impacts the nutrition of family members, especially children,” Dr Partha Kumar Choudhary, professor at Rims paediatrics department, said.

Choudhary added that lack of awareness about what to feed the children may be another factor. “Many parents rely on packaged milk powder for babies, though breastfeeding must be continued for at least six months so that the child has a healthy life,” he added.