Joint Malnutrition Estimates Report

May 29, 2023

The Joint Malnutrition Estimates (JME) report, released by UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank, sheds light on India’s journey in combating child malnutrition. The report presents data on stunting, wasting, and obesity prevalence rates in India and globally, providing valuable insights into the progress made and the challenges that persist.

Declining Stunting Rates

India has made significant strides in reducing stunting among children under five years. According to the JME, there were 1.6 crore fewer stunted children in India in 2022 compared to 2012. The prevalence rate of stunting decreased from 41.6% in 2012 to 31.7% in 2022, reflecting a remarkable improvement. Over the previous decade, India’s share in the global burden of stunting fell from 30 percent to 25 percent.

Lingering Concerns: Wasting and Obesity

While India’s progress in reducing stunting is commendable, the report highlights two persistent concerns: wasting and obesity. Wasting, a measure of acute malnutrition, continues to be a significant challenge, with an overall prevalence rate of 18.7% in India. Additionally, the prevalence of obesity has marginally increased from 2.2% in 2012 to 2.8% in 2022. Despite the low prevalence of obesity compared to the global average, it is essential to address this issue to prevent future health complications.

Global Picture: Stunting and Weight Issues

Globally, there has been a decline in stunting prevalence from 26.3% in 2012 to 22.3% in 2022. In South Asia, the decline was even more significant, dropping from 40.3% to 30.5%. However, the prevalence of weight issues worldwide, including underweight and overweight, remained relatively unchanged at 5.6% in 2022. While there is progress, it is crucial to accelerate efforts to achieve global nutrition targets and Sustainable Development Goal 2.

India’s National Family Health Survey (NFHS) Insights

The JME report aligns with India’s National Family Health Survey (NFHS)-5 findings, which estimated the prevalence of stunting at 35.5%. This showcases a consistent reduction from previous surveys, with rates of 38% in NFHS-4 (2016) and 48% in NFHS-3 (2006). The NFHS-5 data also revealed improvements in access to health services such as family planning, antenatal care, deworming, and breastfeeding counseling.

Challenges and the Way Forward

While progress has been made, challenges persist, especially concerning wasting. The JME report highlights the complex nature of wasting in South Asia, where two-thirds of children at 12 or 24 months exhibited wasting from birth or one month of age, indicating a correlation with maternal malnutrition. Understanding the determinants of wasting and addressing maternal malnutrition are crucial for effective interventions.

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