India's Bane: Malnourishment Affects IQ Level in Children


Dr. Anuj Sawhney, consultant, neonatology at Fortis La femme, in Delhi confirmed the severe risk to children in India. He said, “Malnourished children can have impaired brain growth due to which the child may have abnormal mental functioning. Developmental milestones of the child may also get delayed in severe malnutrition,” reported by Zee News.

Senior consultant, pediatrics at Rockland Hospital, Dr. Ashish Gupta exclaims, “Malnourishment affects the Intelligence Quotient (IQ) level in children which hinders their overall growth”.

2.3 million children are the worst victims of malnutrition every year and it causes failures in an overall development. A malnourished child earns 20 percent less as adults than a well nourished one.

Child mortality of nearly 1.69 million is witnessed every year. These deaths mostly take place in the first month of a child’s life.

Dr. Gupta at Rockland Hospital, while suggesting measures to overcome the terrible condition of nutrition levels in children in India says “The government has started many programmes to address the situation but they are not being effectively implemented on the ground level. It’s high time that these programmes should be effectively monitored.”

He further said  “Also lack of awareness among the people regarding nutrient rich diet further contributes to the worrisome situation,” as reported by Zee News.

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