The Need for Food Literacy

• In the 21st century, amid increasing malnutrition, childhood obesity, climate crisis, and a nutrition transition toward ultra-processed foods, food literacy has become a crucial life skill. The recent Nutrition for Growth Summit and extension of the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition till 2030 reaffirm the global commitment to integrated food and nutrition strategies.
• India, with its dual burden of undernutrition and rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs), must shift from merely feeding to educating children on how to eat well, and schools are the ideal starting point.

Alarming Gaps in Dietary Diversity and Food Security Among Children

Dietary Diversity and Food Insecurity

• Minimum Dietary Diversity (MDD): Only 21% of Indian children (6–23 months) met the MDD criterion in NFHS-5.
• Poor Dietary Diversity Among Children: One-third of Indian children consume adequately diverse, nutrient-rich diets. (UNICEF)

Micronutrient Deficiencies

• Anaemia: 67.1% of children aged 6–59 months are anaemic. (NFHS-5)
• Vitamin A Deficiency: Affects 18% of children under 5, impacting immunity and vision. (ICMR estimates)
• Iron Deficiency: A major contributor to cognitive delays and poor academic performance.

Malnutrition and Undernutrition

• Stunting (low height-for-age): 35.5% of Indian children under five are stunted. (NFHS-5)
• Wasting (low weight-for-height): 19.3% of children under five are wasted, among the highest rates globally. (NFHS-5)
• Underweight: 32.1% of children under five are underweight. (NFHS – 5)

Need for Teaching Children to Eat Well

• Foundation for lifelong health: Poor childhood diets are linked to nearly 70% of preventable adult diseases like diabetes and heart issues, making nutrition during ages 2–20 vital to overcome early deficits.
• Addressing India’s nutrition crisis: Over 77% of Indian children lack dietary diversity, with rising obesity and widespread micronutrient deficiencies highlighting the urgency of food literacy.
• Boosts mental health and academics: Balanced diets improve focus, memory, and emotional stability, while deficiencies in iron and B12 impair IQ, learning, and brain development.
• Early intervention drives behavioural change: Schools offer a structured setting to instil healthy habits, enabling children to influence food choices at home and within communities.

Challenges in the Current Food Environment for Children

• Highly Processed Food Consumption: Rise in ultra-processed foods is causing poor diets, increasing obesity, and diseases like diabetes. E.g., 40% of urban schoolchildren regularly eat junk food.
• Peer and Media Influence: Peer pressure and media ads promote unhealthy foods like sugary snacks, influencing children’s choices. E.g., 76% of children’s diets are affected by marketing and peers (NIH).
• Skipping Meals: Many children skip meals, especially breakfast, which negatively impacts their concentration and academic performance. E.g., 30% of children skip breakfast multiple times a week.
• Low Fruit and Vegetable Intake: Many children fail to consume sufficient fruits and vegetables, resulting in nutrient deficiencies. Only 25% meet the daily recommended servings (NFHS-5).
• Decline in Traditional Diets: A shift from home-cooked meals to fast food is disrupting children’s nutritional balance. E.g., traditional grain consumption has dropped by 35% among children (FSSAI).
• Poor School Food Environment: Many school canteens sell unhealthy food, which contradicts efforts to promote healthy eating. E.g., over 60% of school canteens serve junk food (NIN Survey).

Way Forward: Reform-Perform-Transform

• Integrate Food Literacy in Education: Embed comprehensive food literacy in school curricula, focusing on balanced diets, sustainable food choices, and regional foods, to build lifelong healthy habits.
• Train Educators: Establish a dedicated cadre of trained food literacy educators by collaborating with institutions like ICMR, NIN, and FSSAI to ensure effective and accurate nutrition education.
• Experiential Learning: Foster hands-on learning through kitchen gardens, cooking classes, & food festivals to engage students & deepen their understanding of food production, preparation, and nutrition.
• Regulate School Food Environments: Enforce FSSAI guidelines to ensure nutritious meals in school canteens, aligning with the Mid-Day Meal Scheme.
• Engage Communities and Parents: Launch awareness programs to engage families and communities in promoting healthy eating, with children as change agents at home and in their neighbourhoods.

Improving child nutrition is critical to achieving SDGs 2, 3, and 4, ensuring a healthier and more productive future generation. By integrating food literacy, regulating school food environments, and fostering community engagement, we can build a more sustainable, just, and healthy future for all children.

Reference: The Hindu

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 175

Q. Discuss how the integration of nutrition education in school curricula can contribute to behavioural change and improved child health outcomes. Suggest measures to operationalise this integration effectively. (150 Words) (10 Marks)

Approach

• Introduction: Write briefly about the current children’s nutrition status by mentioning facts from the National Family Health Survey-5.
• Body: Discuss how nutrition education impacts behaviour and health, and suggest effective measures to operationalise this integration.
• Conclusion: Emphasis on the importance of Nutrition education and the need to focus on a multisectoral, school-based approach.