Why this matters now
Malnutrition indicators, the triple burden and the POSHAN response are core GS-2 social-sector content, linked to child health, the demographic dividend and the SDGs.
The triple burden
India faces a triple burden of malnutrition: undernutrition (stunting, wasting, underweight in children), micronutrient deficiencies / “hidden hunger” (iron, vitamin A, iodine — notably widespread anaemia), and rising overnutrition (overweight/obesity).
Causes
Malnutrition results from inadequate diet, poor feeding practices, disease and poor sanitation, food insecurity, poverty, low maternal health/education, and lack of dietary diversity — a multi-dimensional problem, not just food quantity.
Government response and the way forward
Programmes: POSHAN Abhiyaan (the umbrella nutrition mission, now POSHAN 2.0), ICDS/Anganwadi services, the Mid-Day Meal (PM POSHAN) scheme, food fortification, and the NFSA/PDS. The way forward stresses dietary diversity, the first 1,000 days, behaviour change, and convergence across health, water and sanitation.
UPSC angle
Know the triple burden (undernutrition: stunting/wasting/underweight; hidden hunger/anaemia; overnutrition), multi-dimensional causes, and POSHAN Abhiyaan/ICDS/PM POSHAN/fortification.
Frequently asked questions
What is the triple burden of malnutrition?
The coexistence of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies (hidden hunger) and overnutrition (obesity).
What are stunting and wasting?
Stunting is low height-for-age (chronic undernutrition) and wasting is low weight-for-height (acute undernutrition) in children.
What is POSHAN Abhiyaan?
India’s flagship umbrella nutrition mission (now POSHAN 2.0) to reduce malnutrition through convergence and monitoring.
Why are the first 1,000 days important?
From conception to age two, nutrition critically shapes a child’s lifelong health and development.