How Nutritional Programmes in India are Transforming the Lives of Less Privileged Children

31/01/25

blog

18

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. 

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

1. Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS)

The Mid-Day Meal Scheme has been a game-changer for child nutrition in India. It provides nutritious meals to children in government schools, encourages school attendance, and helps address undernutrition. The scheme has improved children’s health, enhanced their energy levels, and contributed to better academic performance by ensuring they receive a balanced diet.

Collaborations with NGOs have further strengthened the scheme by ensuring better quality and nutritional value of the meals served. These partnerships focus on sourcing quality ingredients, improving meal preparation methods, and ensuring hygiene, which are all crucial for the programme’s success.

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

Anganwadis serve as the cornerstone of India’s child nutrition efforts, providing a range of services, including supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, immunisation, and early childhood education. They are often the first point of contact for families in rural and remote areas, ensuring that children receive the necessary care and nutritional support.

While Anganwadis have made significant strides in improving child health and nutrition, there is still room for improvement. Enhanced training, better infrastructure, and regular monitoring are needed to ensure that the services provided are of the highest quality and reach every child in need.

Our Contributions to Child Nutrition

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 donation to Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children India) through our website or joining our fundraising campaigns 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.

1. 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.

1. 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

1. 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.

BRB Admin