This document consist of extracts of a proposal for an awareness program on micronutrient malnutrition. I consists of background information on why such awareness is imperative, the objectives of the program and steps which could be taken to go about such a program.

1. Elder Pharmaceuticals Internship 2015
Needs Assessment: Awareness on Micronutrient Malnutrition
Extract from the proposal for an awareness program:
Micronutrients — vitamins, minerals and botanicals, that are required in small quantities (when compared to
macronutrients) are crucial in maintaining vital chemical reactions in cells and multicellular organisms on the whole.
Therefore, logically, micronutrients should be addressed on a priority basis and should be given the same status as
macronutrients.
Micronutrient malnutrition has been a persistent problem in India, and as recent data suggest,some forms of
micronutrient malnutrition are reaching a peak. The intake of micronutrients in daily diet is far from satisfactory,
and largely less than 50% of the RDA is consumed by over 70% of the Indian population.
The consequences ofmicronutrient malnutrition are unacceptably high morbidity and mortality across the board.
One of the weakest links of nutrition-intervention-programs is the absence of awareness about micronutrients among
healthcare professionals,policy makers and the pubic. These communities are ill-informed of the purpose of
micronutrient-intervention and approach to supplement these "essentials" to adequately manage micronutrient
malnutrition.
The first step is to create an awareness among the stakeholders of how to recognize the micronutrient malnutrition
challenge and then approach the challenge with a logical, well-planned, long-term solution.
Typical Indian meals, improper choices of convenient processed foods and unhealthy lifestyles have lead to an
imbalance in the macronutrient—micronutrient ratio
Micronutrient Malnutrition — Vitamin D Insufficiency
Recent scientific literature report that at least 1 billion people around the world are affected by vitamin D
insufficiency/deficiency — this population includes the masses in India, even though India is blessed with plenty
of sunshine.
While it is true that vitamin D plays a significant role in bone health, emerging research suggests that its presence
or absence contributes to the overall health and affects almost every systemin the body.
It, therefore, is crucial that an educational event on Vitamin D Insufficiency/Deficiency be held as a part of the
education-based drive.

2. Elder Pharmaceuticals Internship 2015
Preamble:
To advance the knowledge and practice ofNutrition with the goal of ensuring the nutritional well -being ofthe
emerging generation.
To play a significant role of influencing the society to improve its nutritional well-being by its own effort by
imparting continuousnutrition education through publication ofjournals, articles in the media and personal
interaction.
To establish micronutrientsas intrinsic to the health-aid kit of every household.
To educate, enable and empower professionals and the public to attain optimal health.
1. Recommend the development an education-based partnership with the Heinz Nutrition Foundation
India’s well-established Continued Nutrition Education Programmes (CNE) which undertake the
training of paramedical personneland those associated with implementation of nutrition programme.
a. BioCare could offer its professionalpersonnel to be team members and assist the CNE Team with
newly published data and other information on vitamin D for a Micronutrient Malnutrition
Awareness/CNE
b. Strongly suggests that this event be headed by Dr. Dharini Krishnan (Ph. D., R.D.), former
National President of Indian Dietetic Association,who is in charge of HNFI's Chennai "Nutri Life
Clinic".
2. Suggests BioCare to promote dietary diversity and healthy eating habits by creating documents such as but
not limited to pamphlets, study guides or brochures to educate both the public and staff on the prevention
of micronutrient malnutrition and to market the BioCare products.
3. Affirms that by collaborating with HNFI’s CNE program BioCare could strengthen the staff's awareness
and training opportunities.
4. Further recommends BioCare to take initiative by devising measures to provide knowledge on
micronutrient malnutrition as a means of both spreading awareness and advertising the company's drugs.
a. Suggests that awareness can be spread by the Mobilisation of local, state and national-level action
and use innovative approaches like social audits, community groups or workers’ and women’s
collectives
5. Further research into varying factors such as household and individual assets and income, nutrition and
health status,as well as existing coping mechanisms should be considered.This would enable efficient
strategizing on the target audience for the awareness programs.
6. Encourages BioCare to involve all relevant stakeholders, in particular communities and local government,
in the implementation of programmes to increase the production and consumption of healthy and nutritious
foods,and BioCare supplements that are rich in micronutrients.