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One of the most important building blocks of good health is nutrition. Nutrition is an essential element of health and development. Better nutrition is related to improved infant, child, and maternal health, stronger immune systems, safer pregnancy and childbirth, lower risk of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and life expectancy.
National Nutrition Week is generally observed during the first week of September. This week seeks to highlight the importance of optimum nutrient intake for better health and development of the body. It is a great opportunity to create awareness about the essential nutrients one should not miss.
Healthy nutrition is a must for a healthy body and mind. It helps us in fighting against diseases and speeds up our recovery post-diagnosis. A healthy diet is essential especially amidst the Covid- 19 pandemic since people are more vulnerable to catching hold of the virus.
History of National Nutrition week
It commenced in the year 1975, when ‘The members of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, then called the American Dietetic Association (ADA), started the National Nutrition Week in March in the United States of America. This week was observed to raise awareness among the public about the importance of good nutrition in life.
This initiative got a positive response and the Indian government also got inspired by this initiative and decided that Indians should also have their own National Nutrition Week and first time in 1982, National Nutrition Week was introduced in India to solve the problem of malnutrition in India.
Since then, the Indian government has taken several key steps in beating malnutrition over the years. The government has launched various schemes and programs to serve its purpose and reduce hunger in the less developed areas of the country. Despite their efforts, a lot is yet to be done.
Significance of National Nutrition Week
National nutrition week is celebrated during the first week of September to raise awareness about the need for good and healthy nutrition and why it is essential for the proper growth and development of the human body. Be it an infant or an adult, both have different requirements for their respective nutrition but both demand a healthy diet, to say the least.
Nutrients such as Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, and Vitamins form an important part of our diet to maintain our health and immunity. If a diet does not consist of all these nutrients in sufficient quantity, any type of deficiency may arise in the individual. A balanced diet is key for the intake of all the necessary nutrients.
To maintain a healthy lifestyle and to ensure a long life expectancy, a healthy and balanced intake of all nutrients is fundamental to avoid any occurrence of malnutrition and deficiency. Seeking help from a professional nutritionist will do wonders for someone facing health issues.
The Danger of Malnutrition
Malnutrition, in any and every form, presents fatal threats to human health. In contemporary times, the world faces a double burden of malnutrition that includes both undernutrition and overweight, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
International organizations such as the WHO (World Health Organization) have taken significant steps and measures to address the issue of malnutrition and the ill effects of malnutrition in poor and less developed countries. WHO is providing scientific advice and decision-making tools that are helping countries to take immediate action to address all forms of malnutrition to support health and well-being for all, at all ages be it an infant or an adult.
The organization explores the risks posed by all forms of malnutrition, commencing from the earliest stages of development, and the responses that the health system can give directly and indirectly through its influence on other sectors, particularly the food and nutrition sector.
Tackling Malnutrition during Covid- 19
A robust and efficient food supply is an essential part of the health and nutrition response to COVID-19. WHO, together with partners, is providing nutrition and food safety guidance and advice during the COVID-19 pandemic to national governments, food businesses, health workers, and the general public, to maintain good health and prevent malnutrition in all its forms.
Allaying fears and rejecting rumors, the organization reported that there is currently no evidence to suggest that people can catch COVID-19 from food, including fruits and vegetables. Fresh fruits and vegetables are part of a healthy diet and their consumption should be encouraged.
Conclusion
According to the Global Hunger Index report, in the year 2021 India ranked 101st among 116 nations and the majority of the deaths of children occurred due to malnutrition. Necessary steps need to be taken on the national front to improve the rank of our country. Nutrition is the need of the hour for the mind and the body.
Written by- Chitra Gangwani
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