Staff Reporter

 

Sheopur district has secured second place in the country for its efforts in tackling malnutrition, as recognized in a competition organized by the Government of India. Under the Chief Minister’s Child Health Promotion Scheme by the Women and Child Development Department, intensive monitoring of children’s nutrition levels is conducted monthly, ensuring timely interventions in case of any issues.Over the past decade, sheopur has seen a remarkable 90% reduction in the number of malnourished children.

 

The number of children benefiting from Anganwadi services has increased by 80%, and 35% more households have adopted the concept of “Poshan Bari” (nutrition gardens). Additionally, 30% of women and children have seen improvements in dietary diversity. The number of severely malnourished children has dropped from 906 in 2020 to just 122 now. The Women and Child Development

 

Department has focused on enhancing the capacity of Anganwadi workers, providing them with regular training on identifying malnutrition, breaking the malnutrition cycle, promoting dietary diversity, hygiene, and the use of millets and supplementary nutrition to prepare child-friendly meals. As a result, Anganwadi workers have been actively spreading nutrition awareness among rural women and men. Several Anganwadi centers in the district now have master trainers. Comparing data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4) conducted in 2005-06 with NFHS-5 data from 2020-21, Madhya Pradesh has seen a 40% reduction in underweight cases, a 46% reduction in stunting, and a 48% reduction in severe malnutrition. According to the Central Government’s nutrition tracker, in 2023-24, 5.50 lakh children were identified as underweight in the state. In sheopur, the number of underweight children under five years of age has reduced by 37.7%. This success highlights the district’s effective nutritional initiatives.