Malnourishment among children and women in India remains a serious problem. According to NFHS-II and NFHS-III surveys, around half of Indian children under 3 are underweight and nearly 40% are stunted. Additionally, over 70% of children aged 6-35 months are anemic. Among women, over 50% are anemic and about 36% have a BMI under 18.5, indicating thinness. While some indicators have slightly improved over time, malnutrition rates remain very high and continue to be a silent emergency in India affecting millions of lives.

1. MALNOURISHMENT IN
CHILDREN AND WOMEN
THE SILENT
EMERGENCY IN INDIA

2. MALNOURISHMENT IN CHILDREN IN INDIA:
NFHS-II & NFHS-III
NFHS-II NFHS-III
79
74
46 47 46
38
16 19
Stunted Wasted Under-weight Anaemic (Children 6
to 35 months)

3. Children Under 3 years Who are
Underweight (NFHS-3, 2005-2006)
• little change over
seven years between
NFHS 2 and 3
0-29 %
30-39 %
40-49 %
50 -100 %

4. MALNOURISHMENT IN WOMEN IN INDIA:
NFHS-II & NFHS-III
BMI and prevalence of Anemia among Pregnant Women in
India (NFHS-II & NFHS-III)
NFHS-II
58 NFHS-III
50
36 33
BMI <18.5 Anemia

5. MALNOURISHMENT IN WOMEN IN INDIA:
NFHS-II & NFHS-III
46 56
23
21
Initiated Exclusively breastfed Children between 6-9 6-23 months receiving
Breastfeeding within 1 during 0-5 months months receiving appropriate
hour semi-solid food and combination of food
breastmilk