Karnataka reports 4.8 lakh severely stunted children despite nutrition schemes

Bengaluru: Despite the state government’s various nutrition schemes, over 4.79 lakh children between the age group of 0 and 6 are severely stunted.

According to government data, the highest number of stunted children identified are from Belagavi, the district represented by Women & Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar. The previous minister in the BJP government, Shashikala Jolle, was also from Belagavi. 

According to data provided by Hebbalkar in reply to a question by BJP MLC Hemalatha Nayak during the recently held Legislature session, of the 32,29,644 active children registered in Anganwadi centres across the state, 32,17,112 were checked for their height and weight and 4,79,931 were found to be severely stunted.

According to the data, Belagavi has 50,522 severely stunted children followed by Vijayapura with 46,434, Kalaburagi (43,919), Raichur (36,836), Koppal (28,070) and Yadgir (27,066). There were fewer stunted children at Chikkamagaluru with 1,337 followed by Ramanagara with 2,264, Hassan (3,173), Dakshina Kannada (3,248), Kodagu (3,448) and Udupi (4,304).

In a reply, the minister said the state government has taken various measures to tackle malnutrition among children. Nutrition schemes include supplementary nutrition, serving boiled eggs twice a week and serving milk under Ksheera Bhagya scheme for children from six months to six years.

“A new initiative called Chiguru has been introduced at Ballari, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir, Raichur, Belagavi, Chitradurga and Vijayanagara districts. Under the programme, severely malnourished children will be identified and necessary health check-ups and nutritious food will be provided,” the minister explained.

The minister informed that children’s height and weight will be monitored every month at registered Anganawadi centres. Hebbalkar said in her reply that the government is taking measures to re-measure the height and weight of the children to verify the root causes for stunting. 

Speaking to DH, MLC Hemalatha Nayak opined that there is a need to improve the quality and taste of food supplied at Anganawadi centres. 

“I have even brought to the notice of the minister the poor quality jaggery supplied. Children at anganawadis don’t like the taste of the Pushti food powder. We have seen children throwing the food into bins,” she added. 

“Pregnant women should be cared for from day one, especially in North Karnataka districts. Due to severe poverty, women and their families cannot afford nutritious food during pregnancy. This is one of the major reasons for stunting among children,” she said.

Meanwhile, nutritionists say that the initial six years are critical for general growth and brain development of children.

“When children don’t get enough protein, iron, zinc, healthy fats and essential vitamins, their growth slows down to conserve energy,” Rajeshwari R Hanchinal, a leading nutritionist in Bengaluru.

Rajeshwari says this leads to stunting (low height for age). “Stunting doesn’t just affect the height, it impacts immunity, learning ability and future productivity. According to the World Health Organisation, early childhood undernutrition has lifelong consequences. Balancing diverse meals in early years can protect growth, strengthen immunity and build a healthier, brighter future,” adds Rajeshwari.