Nutritional programmes in india: transforming lives of less-privileged children

31/01/25

Blog

7456

Child health and nutrition are the most important factors that set the foundation of a child’s future. When children get access to adequate nutrition and healthcare facilities at a young age, they are more likely to grow up healthy. These factors affect everything – from a child’s physical and mental growth to their emotional and social well-being. Keeping the importance of healthcare and nutrition in mind, the Government of India has launched various programmes over the years that ensure children get access to all the resources they need to have a healthy childhood. In this blog post, we will be shedding light on some of these successful nutritional programmes in India and how they are transforming the lives of children. 

The Challenge of Child Malnutrition in India

India has made measurable progress in improving child nutrition over the past decade, supported by large-scale national missions and community-based programmes. According to the National Family Health Survey-5, stunting among children under five declined to 35.5 percent, reflecting steady improvement in growth indicators. At the same time, continued focus is required, as India still accounts for a significant share of the global burden of child undernutrition. 

Nutritional outcomes are influenced by maternal health, early feeding practices, sanitation, access to healthcare, and socio-economic conditions. Variations across regions further emphasise the need for sustained, community-focused interventions. 

Strengthening frontline services, improving awareness, and ensuring equitable access to nutrition support remain central to securing healthier growth and development for every child.

Some Successful Nutritional Programmes in India

Led by the government, these initiatives aim to ensure that every child receives the right nutrition to support their physical and cognitive development. By providing essential services, these programmes are transforming the lives of children and families, offering a pathway toward better health and brighter futures.

Here is a look at some of these child health and nutrition programmes: 

1. Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission)

Launched in 2018, Poshan Abhiyaan aims to reduce stunting, undernutrition, anaemia, and low birth weight in children, adolescent girls, and pregnant women. The mission focuses on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, a crucial period for nutrition that can significantly impact long-term health and development.

• One of the most innovative aspects of the Poshan Abhiyaan is its deployment of the world’s largest mobile phone-based application, the Poshan Tracker. This application helps Anganwadi Workers prioritise home visits, monitor child growth, and record the delivery of nutritional services. It has replaced cumbersome paper-based systems, providing real-time data to track progress and improve decision-making.

• The ICDS-CAS mobile app also plays a vital role in streamlining data collection, helping program officials monitor the progress of frontline workers and ensure that interventions are being effectively implemented.

• The programme adopts a multi-pronged approach to reach communities, using a variety of communication materials to educate women, children, and their families about the importance of nutrition. These materials are used during home visits by Anganwadi Workers and in community-based events such as Godhbharai (pregnancy milestones) and Annaprashan (introducing solid foods).

• High-visibility campaigns, including TV and radio spots in regional languages, mobile videos, and text messages, further amplify these messages across the country, ensuring widespread reach and participation.

• A key component of Poshan Abhiyaan’s success is its focus on building the capacity of frontline workers. The Incremental Learning Approach (ILA) was introduced to enhance the training process, breaking down learning into smaller modules that are easy to understand. This approach includes face-to-face sessions, e-learning modules, and pictorial job aids. Workers are also incentivised for their performance, particularly when conducting priority home visits in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

Also Read: Understanding the Importance of Child Rights in India

2. Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS)

Launched in 2018, Poshan Abhiyaan was introduced to address stunting, undernutrition, anemia, and low birth weight among children, adolescent girls, and pregnant women, with special emphasis on the first 1,000 days of life. The mission combines technology, community outreach, and capacity building to strengthen nutrition delivery.

The Poshan Tracker and ICDS-CAS applications enable Anganwadi Workers to monitor child growth, record services, and prioritise home visits more effectively, replacing paper-based systems with real-time data. Alongside this, behaviour change campaigns and community events such as Godhbharai and Annaprashan promote awareness of nutrition practices. Through the Incremental Learning Approach, frontline workers receive structured training and performance-based incentives, strengthening service delivery at the grassroots level.

3. Anganwadi Services Under ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme)

 Anganwadis form the backbone of India’s early childhood nutrition and care efforts under the Integrated Child Development Scheme. These centres provide supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, immunisation support, and early childhood education, often serving as the first point of contact for families in rural and remote communities.

They have contributed significantly to improving child health and nutrition outcomes. Continued strengthening through better infrastructure, enhanced training, and regular monitoring can further improve service delivery and ensure consistent, quality support for every child.

Bal Raksha Bharat’s Contributions to Child Nutrition Programmes

At Bal Raksha Bharat (also known as Save the Children India), we are committed to improving the health and nutrition of children, adolescents, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, especially in underserved areas. Supporting the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres across Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh, we work to ensure universal access to Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC). Our strategic partnerships with the Ministry of Women & Child Development, NITI Aayog, state governments, and research institutions like ICMR-NIN strengthen health and nutrition initiatives for those who need them most.

By focusing on hard-to-reach communities, we enhance the uptake of essential services through innovative, evidence-based interventions. Our ambition for 2030 is to ensure every child survives, learns, and thrives by delivering multi-sectoral solutions to disadvantaged families, building a future where no child is left behind.

You can also support this mission with online donations to Bal Raksha Bharat through our website to create a healthier future for children.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How does nutrition play a role in a child’s development?

Nutrition supports physical growth, brain development, and overall health, boosting immunity and enabling better learning and productivity in children.

2. How can we promote nutrition in children?

Offer balanced meals, encourage healthy eating habits, educate children about nutritious food, and ensure access to essential vitamins and minerals.

3. What are the 5 importance of nutrition?

The five important aspects of nutrition are:

• Promotes growth and development

• Boosts immunity

• Improves cognitive function

• Prevents nutritional deficiencies

• Enhances overall well-being

4. How do you explain nutrition to a child?

Tell them that nutrition is like “fuel for the body,” helping them grow strong, stay active, and fight off sickness by eating a variety of healthy foods.

Naveen Kumar

“Naveen is an SEO expert and digital marketing analyst at Bal Raksha Bharat with a passion for helping businesses grow online. With a data-driven approach, he specializes in boosting search rankings, driving traffic, and optimizing digital strategies. Follow for tips on SEO, content, and marketing trends."