Over 29% children in Kangra ‘stunted’ due to malnutrition

A recent survey by the Women and Child Development Department has raised serious concerns about child nutrition in Kangra district, revealing that over one-third of children under the age of five suffer from stunting growth or were underweight.

The survey, conducted by Anganwadi workers through the Nutrition Tracker app up to September this year, assessed around 80,000 children aged between zero and five. Shockingly, 8,038 were found to be stunted.

According to the report, 29 per cent of children in the district are stunted, 12 per cent underweight, 3 per cent overweight and 2 per cent wasted — indicators of both undernutrition and emerging lifestyle-related dietary imbalances.

Officials have attributed the rising malnutrition levels to poor dietary habits, irregular meal timings, growing dependence on packaged or restaurant food and increased screen addiction among children. The report also notes harmful practices such as giving tea immediately after meals and excessive intake of sugar and salt, further aggravating health issues.

In response, the Women and Child Development Department has intensified its awareness campaigns under Mission Shakti and Mission Tripti. While Mission Shakti focuses on promoting balanced diets and healthy eating habits among the general population, Mission Tripti targets pregnant and lactating women, highlighting the importance of maternal and child nutrition during and after pregnancy.

To address the issue at the grassroots level, the department is organising awareness drives, community workshops and nutritional counselling sessions across Kangra to educate families on the importance of healthy lifestyles and balanced diets for children’s growth and cognitive development.

It is noteworthy that under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), Kangra district currently operates 4,119 Anganwadi centres and 117 mini-Anganwadi centres. The scheme provides nutritional support and health services to children aged six months to six years, as well as to pregnant women, lactating mothers and BPL girl children aged 11 to 18 years.