Early Childhood Malnourishment and its Associated Factors - Uttarakhand

Abstract

Malnutrition, a word which seems to shake our roots and disturb our future. Today the underdeveloped
and many developing countries are battling this threat in many ways. The reason behind malnutrition is
the determinants which make it prevail in our neighborhood and our country on the whole. Malnutrition
possess a very serious threat to the future of our country especially the children between (1 – 3) years of
age. This paper attempts to identify the existing prevalence of malnutrition in Uttarakhand, to explore
the predisposing factors contributing to it in under five children and compare the prevalence with the
selected neighboring states. An in – depth survey of all the related literatures and published articles in the
selected area was made. It has been reported in recent times about the hike in India’s hunger problems
and the number of reported cases of stunting and wasting has also rocketed though underweight has
slightly reduced. The only way to curb malnutrition is by; breaking the shackles of the determinants,
thorough regular surveys and screenings, improved and adequate health care services, reaching out to
the needy and spreading awareness among the masses.