HOW TO WIPE OUR NATIONAL SHAME (malnutrition)? UNICEF’s recent study says one in every three malnourished children in the world lives in India .our Prime minister says it is a national shame that 42% of Indian children are underweight suffering from malnutrition. Despite our economical growth we have not succeeded in fighting malnutrition. ICDS-Integrated child development scheme is our important tool to fight nutrition, but we cannot solely rely on it, each and every person in our society should take this as a serious issue and help to eradicate this problem. Health professionals, NGO’s, academicians and media should play an active role instead of waiting for our government to form Food security bill. Ours is a vast country with diverse eating habits,each tribe ,society and family have traditional food practices according to the age groups eg annaprasam introducing solid food to babies and it is custom in many communalities to give certain types of food to girl children during puberty these customs helped children to be healthy. It is not advisable to alter ancient food habits for modern sophisticated foods which is of no use to health. Inadequate intake of quality and quantity of food and infectious diseases like diarrhea, respiratory infections and worm infestation are cited as the major reason of malnutrition. Traditional medicine can play an important role in managing these problems. Use of uraimathrai in infants increases appetite solves gripping problems and acts as a immune modutalor for children it can be started in the infant stage and given up to the age of three.Nellikai leghiyam ,tertrankottai leghiyam ect can be a excellent supplements for children. Healthy complementary supplements like cereals porridge, Malted food products (germinating and grinding) millets should be introduced in the weaning period. Energy density food-ghee, jaggrey added in cereals makes an excellent protein food. Should make children to eat chikkis made of groundnuts, sesame and varieties of sundals instead of biscuit and chips. Moringa leaves is an ideal food for malnutrition it is packed with amino acids, vitamins and calcium fulfilling all nutrient requirements. Amaranths leaves,parsely ect are good it should be introduced in noon meal scheme all school should have a garden with these plants . Even in affluent societies in cities we see children with nutritional deficiency due to wrong eating habits. In cities many children skip breakfast and go to school with only a glass of milk. In the interest of children school can provide a variety of sundal 100gms a day during morning break. Home herbal garden with basic plants like moringa, amaranthus, greens, and pappaya should be encouraged to grow to meet the nutritional demand of a household, particularly in small towns and villages where there is no dearth of space. Reducing malnutrition is the only way for a health nation.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Jul 2013 13:05:05 +0000
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