Common Nutritional

Problems
Of

Urban India

By.

Dr. Sunil Arakh.

Homeopath and Certified Trichologist.
Richfeel Trichology, Himayath nagar, Hyderabad.

Sources.
Material available on internet searched through Google, emedicine,Webmd, Wikipedia etc.

Studies done by The Urban HUNGaMA (Hunger and Malnutrition),Naadi (NGO)

All that glitters is not gold.
As we know that India is one of the world's fastest growing economies of the world. One side we see
that our cities are growing and glowing. There is lot of developments happening everywhere. Villages
are rapidly getting converted into cities. Old mountains, forests are getting replaced by skyscraper
buildings and malls, Multiplex theaters, flyovers, five star hotels, luxurious neat and clean societies
with all facilities available at the tip of finger. And other side we also see increased under poverty line
population, increasing slum areas staying in unhygienic conditions and large population of these cities
struggling for there daily needs , struggling to make two ends meet. Struggling for basic needs like
food and shelter.

This rapid Urbanization and development is not free of cost. We all pay for it directly or indirectly. It
comes with its own good and bad effects on everyone irrespective of social, economical status. Poor
or rich or middle class everyone gets affected in some or other way.
It majorly affects the quality of life. It majorly affects the 2 of the basic needs of human beings I.e food
and shelter.

Increasing demands in urban areas and reducing agricultural lands from surrounding areas ,
Insufficient productions. Inappropriate exposure to direct sunlight, increasing pollution, insufficient
fresh air to breath and insufficient clean water to drink directly impacting health of everyone.
Increasing cases of Hypertension, Asthma, Heart Diseases, Diabetes , stress, depressions in early age
are all the side effects of urban life.

Changing food habits in urban areas is major concern. People like to eat fast food as it is easily and
readily available, takes no time to cook and can be consumed on the run. Certain foods like pizza,
burgers, pastas, so called Chinese food which are mouthwatering ,irresistible and addiction forming.
Also Cheap but quality with respect to nutrition is totally compromised. But who cares ? This is more
common in younger students as well as working professional who can not wait for lengthy process of
cooking . Wada pav has earnd a fame as staple food of Mumbai is not a joke.

One can see the effect of this kind of food on health of people in form of increasing problems of
obesity is very common. More weight and less strength. Increasing issues of PCOD in young females,
infertility, sterility, thyroid and many to name.

But The relief is that there are certain things which are in our hands and we can control those. The
basic requirement of health is Nutritious food. Which is in our hands. And by creating awareness
about food and nutrition we can take care of many health issues of urban population . If not all We
can avoid many life threatening diseases by just by taking care of our diet.
Presenting a small case which I came across few months back and was an eye opener for me
regarding my prejudices about healthy looking educated urban people.

Few months back Mrs. Mehta had started treatment for her excessive hair fall and early thinning. Her
case history goes as Mrs. Mehta is a 42 yrs old female and is from a very well to do family. Educated
and fitness conscious too. Even if she is in her 40s she doesnt look like so. Pure vegetarian because of
her religious beliefs. And was also on some nutritional supplements from globally well known brand.
On scalp examination Tricho-scanning it indicated early hair thinning . I Prescribed her few medicines
and Anagrow therapy. And also promised her that within 3 months of time she should notice some
change in hair fall. And because of my confidence in rx she took therapy. However she was little
reluctant to start the medicines and required lot of counseling and assurance. Now as 3 months time
was already over and She did not find any change. I took images and hair count which was stable on
comparison. I went ahead for hair pull test. With every pull almost 7-10 strands of hair were falling
down.

I asked her to get few blood tests done like Haemoglobin, CBC and serum ferritin along with Vit B 12 .
She refused to do it saying that she is already taking Vit B 12 from her Physician and also on
Nutritional Supplement too. And her Haemoglobin levels are always normal and she is very conscious
about her diet. As she was so confident and more or less obstinate to get it done I could not force .
But in 4th month of treatment too the condition was same. So I insisted to the blood reports done. As
with practice of 13-14 yrs now I never saw patient not responding to medication for 3 months of time.
They are bound to see some or other positive change unless and until there is some underlying
maintaining cause like Nutritional deficiency, Thyroid problem etc. So I decided to insist to get the
reports done. Upset with my insistence for reports she said Dr. What if the reports are normal.?

When she came back in a week of time with reports her Serum Ferritin was very low which she didn’t
expect.
Vit b 12- 464 ( 180-914) S. feritin - 7.3 ( 11-307 )

I assured her that she needs to take Iron supplements for few months. And it will take some time to
get the reports in normal range as it was too low. And with improvement in her nutritional profile we
will see change in hair fall and hair strength as well.

So we can see that even though people look healthy and belong to well to do families, health
conscious, educated, that doesn’t mean that they don’t have nutritional problems. All that glitters is
not gold. We can see many people like her around us who look healthy but are not. This was the
simple case of hair loss but Hair loss is not the only problem which is caused by nutritional
deficiencies. It is not that superficial. Moreover there are many deep systematic illnesses which can
be attributed to Nutritional problems.

Lets Have a Look at what nutrition is and how it affects our day today life and why
it is important for everyone.
Nutrition :-

Nutrition is not just eating food and filling up the empty stomach. Nutrition gives us energy, it helps in
nourishment of body and mind both, it helps in repairing of damaged tissues and replenishing dead
ones, it helps to build up immunity.

It is the process of taking food in body and absorbing the nutrients in those foods.

The act in the living beings of taking food and different nutrients and their assimilation in body. Which
help in nourishment, growth and maintaining health. It also helps in replacing and repairing worn or
injured tissues I.e. Healing process.

Importance of Nutrition :- According to Ayurveda there are four basic pillars of healthy life and
nutrition is one of them.

1 Ahar- what to eat, how much to eat and how to eat.

2 Vihar - Environment in which we live.Our surrounding.

3 Achar– Behaviour and conduct of individual with the external world .

4 Vichar –Thought process , goals and objectives in life, personal mindsets.

“Let thy food be thy medicines and thy medicine be thy food “

A Quote by The father of Medicine, Hippocrates, 400 B.C. , to his students, says it all. This shows that
health is directly proportional to our Nutritional status.

History of Nutritional Studies

1747 Dr. James Lind, a physician in the British Navy, performed the first scientific experiment in
nutrition. At that time, sailors were sent on long voyages for years and they developed scurvy. In his
experiment, Lind gave some of the sailors sea water, others vinegar, and the rest limes. Those given
the limes were saved from scurvy. As Vitamin C wasnt discovered until the 1930s, Lind didnt know it
was the vital nutrient.

Early 1800s It was discovered that foods are composed primarily of four elements: carbon,
nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen, and methods were developed for determining the amounts of
these elements.

In 1930 william rose discovered the essential amino acids, Building blocks of Protein.

1940s The water soluble B and C vitamins were discovered.

1950s to the Present -- The roles of essential nutrients as part of bodily processes have been brought
to light. Like the role of vitamins and minerals as components of enzymes and hormones that work
within the body

Nutrients:
Different components of our food which are responsible for nourishment and growth of body.

Basic Nutrients are Broadly classified into

Macronutrients - which form the large amount of our diet and include the primary building
blocks of our diet which provide our body with energy.

Proteins- Protein provides the building blocks of the body, and not just for muscle. Every cell, from
bone to skin to hair is made of protein. A 16 percent of the average person’s body weight is from
protein. Protein is used primarily for growth, health, and body maintenance.

All of your hormones, antibodies, and other important substances are composed of protein. Protein is
not used to fuel the body unless necessary. Proteins are made of up different amino acids. While the
body can create some amino acids on its own, there are many essential amino acids that can only
come from food. You need a variety of amino acids for your body to function properly.

We don’t need to eat all of the amino acids at once as our body can create complete proteins from
the foods you eat .

From where to Get-Meat, fish, and eggs are good sources of essential amino acids. One can also
get protein from plant sources like beans, soy, nuts, and some grains. Exactly requirement of protein
you need daily depends on factors like your physical activity and your age. Despite of fad of high-
protein diets, there no studies prove that they’re healthier or can influence weight loss.

Carbohydrates- Despite of fad of carb free diet or low carb diet it is important to note that Carbs
are necessary for a healthy body.It is main source of energy of our body, especially central nervous
system and brain, and protect against disease. It should make up 45 to 65 percent of your total daily
calories.

From where to Get- Some carbs are healthier than others. Whole grains, beans, and fiber-rich
vegetables and fruits instead of refined grains and products with added sugar.
Fats- Recent research has shown that healthy fats are an important part of a healthy diet. According
to Harvard Medical School, fat supports many of your body’s functions such as vitamin and mineral
absorption, blood clotting, building cells, and muscle movement. Fat is high in calories, but those
calories are an important Source of energy for our body. World Health Organization suggests to keep
it under 30% of Daily calories. Healthy fats in diet help to balance blood sugar, decrease the risk of
heart disease and type 2 diabetes, improves brain function. Are powerful anti-inflammatory, and
lower the risk of arthritis, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease.

From where to Get- Healthy Unsaturated fats are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Unsaturated
fats are important as they provide essential fatty acids our body can’t make. Sources are nuts, seeds,
fish, and vegetable oils (like olive, avocado, and flaxseed). Coconut oil provides plant-based fats in the
form of medium-chain triglycerides which impart health benefits like faster utilization by organs as
fuel and appetite control. Avoiding trans fats and reducing intake of saturated animal-based fats like
butter, cheese, red meat, and ice cream is useful.

Micro Nutrients.
Vitamins - allow your body to grow and develop. They also play important roles in bodily functions
such as metabolism, immunity and digestion.Vitamins are vital for warding off disease and staying
healthy. The body needs these micronutrients to support its functions.Vitamins may lower the risk of
lung and prostate cancer, and they’re powerful antioxidants. Vitamins like vitamin C boost the
immune system and help the body heal.

A ) Fat Soluble Vitamins - The fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, are stored in the body for long
periods of time and generally pose a greater risk for toxicity when consumed in excess than water-
soluble vitamins. Eating a normal, well-balanced diet will not lead to toxicity in otherwise healthy
individuals.

B ) Water Soluble Vitamins.-A vitamin that can dissolve in water. Water-soluble vitamins are
carried to the body's tissues but are not stored in the body. They are found in plant and animal foods
or dietary supplements and must be taken in daily. Vitamin C and members of the vitamin B complex
are water-soluble.

Fat Soluble Vitamins

Vitamins Sources Health Disorders associated with deficiency

Vit A Milk, butter, cheese, eggs chicken,
kidney, liver, fish oils, Papaya
Vit D Fatty fish, like tuna, mackerel, and
salmon. Foods fortified with vitamin
D, dairy products, orange juice, soy
milk, and cereals. Beef liver
Vit E nuts, like almonds, peanuts and
hazelnuts, and vegetable oils like
sunflower, wheat germ, safflower,
corn and soybean oils
Vit K Green leafy vegetables, such as
kale, spinach, turnip greens,
mustard greens, parsley, and green
leaf lettuce.Vegetables such as
Brussels sprouts, broccoli,
cauliflower, and cabbage.Fish, liver,
meat, eggs, and cereals
Night blindness, reduced immunity, hairloss,
xeropthalmia, loss of appetite,dry eyes,
leukoplakis, hyperkerotosis of oral cavity
Rickets, osteomalacia, hairloss, hypocalcification
and malformation of teeth
nonspecific neurologic deficits spinocerebellar
ataxia and myopathies.Neurological problems –
dysarthria, loss of deep tendon reflexes, positive
Babinski sign Hemolytic anemia – due to oxidative
damage to red blood cells Retinopathy and
Impairment of the immune response
Defective blood coagulation leading to bleeding
tendency.
Though the deficiency is rare.
Water Soluble Vitamins

Vitamin Sources Health Disorders associated with deficiency

B1 Thiamin peas, pork, liver, and legumes. whole
grains and cereal, and enriched
products like bread, pasta, rice, and
tortillas.
B2 liver, eggs, dark green vegetables,
Riboflavin legumes, whole and enriched grain
products, and milk.
beriberi, a condition that features problems with the
peripheral nerves and wasting.Weight loss and
anorexia. mental problems,confusion and short-term
memory loss. Weak Muscles , cardiovascular symptoms
like an enlarged heart.
cracks at the corners of the mouth, dermatitis on nose
and lips, light sensitivity, cataracts, and a sore, red
tongue,Scrotal dermatitis, Fluid in mucous membranes,
Iron-deficiency anemia

B3 liver, fish, poultry, meat, peanuts,
Niacin whole and enriched grain products.
B5 Meat: Pork, chicken, turkey duck, beef,
pantotheni animal organs such as liver and
c acid kidney.Fish: Salmon, lobster, and
shellfish.Grains: Whole grain breads
and cereals. Dairy products: Egg yolk,
milk, yogurt, and milk
products.Legumes: Lentils, split peas,
and soybeans.
B6 seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs,
pyroxidine legumes (beans and peas), nuts, seeds,
and soy products. Fish, beef, turkey .
Beans and nuts
B7 Liver and other meats. As most biotin is
bitoin stored in the liver. Egg yolk, Yeast, Nuts
and seeds, Salmon, Dairy, Avocados,
Sweet potato.
Pellagra is the disease state that occurs as a result of
severe niacin deficiency. Symptoms include cramps,
nausea, mental confusion, and skin
problems.indigestion fatigue canker sores vomiting
depression
fatigue, insomnia, depression, irritability, vomiting,
stomach pains, burning feet, and upper respiratory
infections.
peripheral neuropathy, seborrheic dermatitis, glossitis,
and cheilosis, and, in adults, depression, confusion, and
seizures
hair loss and a characteristic scaly red rash in the face
(around the eyes, nose, mouth), and in the genital
area. Neurologic symptoms in adults have included
depression, lethargy, hallucination, numbness and
tingling of the extremities, and ataxia

B9 Citrus fruits.Banana, oranges .Wheat extreme tiredness.weakness.pins and needles

folic acid bran, fortified cereals, grain products,
and barley .poultry, pork, shellfish,
salmon, and tuna.
B12 fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk, and milk
cobalamin products. Vitamin B12 is generally not
present in plant foods
Vit C Citrus fruits orange, kiwi, lemon, guava,
Ascorbc grapefruit, and vegetables as broccoli,
Acid cauliflower, Brussel sprouts and
capsicums are rich, natural sources of
vitamin C. Other vitamin C-rich fruits
include papaya, cantaloupe and
strawberries.
(paraesthesia)a sore and red tongue mouth
ulcers.muscle weakness.disturbed vision. psychological
problems as depression and confusion.
Weakness and Fatigue strange sensations, numbness,
or tingling in the hands, legs, or feet.difficulty walking
(staggering, balance problems)anemia.a swollen,
inflamed tongue.difficulty thinking and reasoning
(cognitive difficulties), or memory
loss.weakness.fatigue.
scurvy include easy bruising, easy bleeding and joint
and muscle pains Rough, Bumpy Skin. Corkscrew-
Shaped Body Hair- Bright Red Hair Follicles. Spoon-
Shaped Fingernails With Red Spots or Lines. Dry,
Damaged Skin.Bruising.Slowly Healing Wounds. Painful,
Swollen Joints.
Minerals - Like vitamins, minerals also support the body. Are important for many body functions,
including building strong bones and teeth, metabolism, and staying hydrated. Most common minerals
are calcium, iron, and zinc. In addition to strengthening bones, calcium helps with nerve signal
transmission, maintaining healthy blood pressure, and muscle contraction and relaxation. Iron
supports your red blood cells and hormone creation, while zinc boosts your immune system and
wound healing.

These are substances that are formed naturally in the Earth. Are usually solid, inorganic, have a crystal structure,
and form naturally by geological processes. A mineral can be made of single chemical element or more usually
a compound. There are over 4,000 types of known minerals.Two common minerals are quartz and feldspar.

"A mineral is a homogeneous (which means composed of parts or elements that are all of the same kind)
naturally occurring substance with a definite but not necessarily fixed chemical composition. Most minerals are
solids with an ordered atomic arrangement, and most are inorganic in the chemical sense of that word"

Mineral sources Deficiency

Calcium milk, cheese, dairy foods.green leafy
vegetables – such as broccoli, cabbage
and okra, but not spinach.
soya beans.tofu.soya drinks with
added calcium.nuts.bread .fish where
you eat the bones – such as sardines
and pilchards
Copper Liver. Organ meat, Oysters. Oysters are
shellfish often considered a delicacy.
Mushrooms. Nuts and Seeds. Lobster.
Leafy Greens. Dark Chocolate.
Chlorine cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and
Brussels sprouts. radish family,
nightshade family tomatoes, potatoes,
eggplant and peppers
Fluorine Natural water .Potato.Tea.Tomato
Seafood.Cucumbers. .Leafy greens,
raisins.
Iron red meat, chicken and fish. Beans and
lentils.Tofu.Baked potatoes.
Cashews.Dark green leafy veg. Like
spinach. Shellfish.Liver . Organ meat
Whole-grain. Legumes. Pumpkin Seeds.
Quinoa. Turkey.
Iodine dairy products, seafood, meat, eggs,
multivitamin containing iodine
Magnesium Green leafy vegetables spinach and
kale, avocado, banana and raspberries
Nuts and seeds. Legumes black beans,
chickpeas and kidney beansVegetables
peas, broccoli, cabbage, green beans,
artichokes, asparagus, brussels
sprouts)Seafood (salmon, mackerel,
tuna)
Manganese nuts, such as almonds and
pecans.beans and legumes, such as
lima and pinto beans.oatmeal and
bran cereals.whole wheat
bread.brown rice.leafy green
vegetables, such as spinach.fruits, such
as pineapple and acai.dark chocolate.
confusion or memory loss.muscle
spasms.numbness and tingling in the hands, feet,
and face.depression.hallucinations.muscle
cramps.weak and brittle nails.easy fracturing of
the bones.
Fatigue and Weakness. Low immunity. Weak and
Brittle Bones. Osteoporosis. Weak Memory and
Learning. Difficulties Walking. Sensitivity to
Cold.Pale Skin. Premature Gray Hair.
fatigue.muscle weakness.breathing problems.
vomiting.diarrhea.excessive thirst.high blood
pressure.
Tooth decay.possibly osteoporosis
fatigue.weakness.pale skin.shortness of
breath.dizziness.strange cravings to eat items that
aren't food, such as dirt, ice, or clay.a tingling or
crawling feeling in the legs.tongue swelling or
soreness.
Swelling in the Neck.Goitre .Weight Gain. Fatigue,
Weakness.Hair loss.Dry, Flaky Skin. Cold feeling.
Changes in Heart Rate.weak memory, difficult
learning
tremor, poor coordination, muscle spasms, loss of
appetite, personality changes, and nystagmus
.Muscle Twitches and Cramps. . Mental Disorders.
Mental disorders. Osteoporosis. Fatigue and
Muscle Weakness. High Blood Pressure. Asthma.
Irregular Heartbeat.
impaired growth, impaired reproductive function,
skeletal abnormalities, impaired glucose
tolerance, and altered carbohydrate and lipid
metabolism.
Phosphorus protein foods such as milk and milk
products and meat and alternatives,
such as beans, lentils and nuts.
especially whole grains . in smaller
amounts in vegetables and fruit
Potassium Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe,
honeydew, apricots, grapefruit prunes,
raisins, and dates, spinach. broccoli
Potatoes.Sweet
potatoes.Mushrooms.Peas.Cucumbers.
Silicon whole grain bread and pasta, oatmeal,
brown rice, oat and wheat bran
cereals, bananas, mangos, green
beans, spinach,Red wine, beer, barley,
nuts, dried fruit root vegetables
seafood and organ meats.
Sodium Smoked, cured, salted or canned meat,
fish or poultry including bacon, cold
cuts, ham, frankfurters, sausage,
sardines, caviar and anchovies .Salted
nuts.Beans canned with salt added.
Sulphur Seafood.Eggs.Organ meat such as
liver, heart, and kidneys.Veal, beef,
chicken, and pork.Nuts such as
peanuts, brazil nuts, almonds, and
walnuts. cheese.Cow's milk; especially
from grass-fed cows.Peaches and
apricots.
Zinc Meat. Shellfish.Legumes. Legumes like
chickpeas, lentils and beans. Seeds.
Nuts. Dairy. Eggs. Whole Grains.
Water
Last but not the least is the Water we drink.
We can go for weeks without food not without water. Water is absolutely crucial for every system in
your body. About 62 percent of your body weight is water.
Water improves your brain function and mood. It acts a shock absorber and a lubricant in the body. It
also helps flush out toxins, carry nutrients to cells, hydrate the body, and prevent constipation. Even
mild dehydration can make you feel tired and impair your concentration and physical performance.
delayed growth, spinal pain, muscle weakness,
and skeletal deformities.rickets in children and
osteomalacia in adults.anxiety fatigue irregular
breathing irritability joint stiffness numbness
weakness changes in body weight
weakness and fatigue, muscle cramps, muscle
aches and stiffness, tingles and numbness, heart
palpitations, breathing difficulties, digestive
symptoms and mood changes.
abnormal skull and long bone structure, poorly-
formed joints with decreased cartilage content.
Brittle dry hair with hair fall, dry brittle nails thin
wrinkled skin .slower wound healing; As silicon
acts against the oxidative stress, its deficiency may
accelerate the atherosclerosis of the arteries and
increase the risk of diseases of the cardiovascular
system, especially coronary artery disease;Bone
metabolism is affected by disrupted mineralization
and by osteoporosis. Fatigue, loss of appetite and
mood swings.cognitive impairment;insomnia
indigestion and stomachaches;Weekend teeth and
gums;
hyponatremia. muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting,
and dizziness to shock, coma, and death.altered
personality, lethargy and confusion. seizures,
acne, arthritis, brittle nails and hair, convulsions,
depression, memory loss, gastric issues, rashes
,slow wound healing. obesity, heart disease,
Alzheimer's and chronic fatigue. inflammation-
related muscle and skeletal disorders. Insufficient
sulfur in your body may lead to insulin resistance
growth retardation, loss of appetite, and impaired
immune function.hair loss, diarrhea, delayed
sexual maturation,impotence, hypogonadism in
males, and eye and skin lesions
According to the World Health Organization, these nutrients must come from food,
and they’re vital for disease prevention, growth, and good health.

Nutritional Pyramid.

Why a nutrition is Important.

We know that nutrition, as an indicator has a lot to offer to the development of any country. India is a
fastest developing country.

For India to reach its full potential, focusing on fighting the malnutrition should not be an
option. Where on one side world has reached on Moon and Mars and we are still haunted by basic
problem like malnutrition.

Nutrition is determining factor in how healthy, productive, scoopful and active population of the
country will be. Nutrition and health should be on top of the country’s agenda.
Nutritional Problem of Urban India.
As we saw in case of Mrs Mehta - All that glitters is not Gold.
Increasing urbanisation is a double edged sword which comes with new challenge.
India is facing a double burden of under- and over-nutrition.

With more people adopting ‘urban diets’, there have been some changes in the food supply change.
For instance, the move away from staples such as rice and wheat to vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat and
fish requires more infrastructure such as cold storage, etc. There is also a growth in culture of retail
supermarkets over traditional markets among urban consumers. 

Studies showed following changes in Urban diet. more calories - from cereals or
carbohydrates and more from fat.Urban populations consume more meat and animal protein and less
dairy products. They also consume more fruits and vegetables overall, though consumption of these
food groups differs between richer and poorer urban populations.more sugary snacks among
children, food away from home, and processed foods.

A study in an urban slum in Delhi, cited in the IFPRI report, found that 66% of households consume
packaged snacks high in fat, with two-thirds consuming these daily. 

Studies in India show that urbanisation is associated with high blood pressure in men and with
cardiovascular disease and higher cholesterol in other populations studied, the report said.

Double Challenge of under Nutrition - and overnutrition 

Urban India is now facing problem of the twin-burden of under- and overnutrition. While 38.4% of
children under the age of five are stunted (low height-for-age) and 21% are wasted (low weight-for-
height), according to the National Family Health Survey, 2015-16 (NFHS-4), a study, conducted in 2012
over a period of six months on 18,001 students aged five to 18 from 27 schools, found 9.5%
overweight and 3% obese (IndiaSpend reported in April 2016. )

Effects on Health of Under Nutrition . Effects on Health of Over Nutrition

Protein Energy Malnutrition OBESITY-
LOW BIRTH WEIGHT DIABETES - It Is well known and very common
metabolic disorder.
XEROPHTHALMIA Dietary fat – positive correlation with Colon cancer,
breast cancer
NUTRITIONAL ANEMIA- Iron, Vit B12, Folic Acid. Food additives – Saccharin, cyclamate, Coffee,
aflatoxin associated with bladder cancer
IODINE DEFICIENCY DISORDERS- Alcohol – liver cancer, Rectal Cancer.
Goiter.
FLUROSIS
LATHYRISM

Also, while 22.9% and 20.2%, respectively, of women and men have body mass indices below normal,
20.7% and 18.6%, respectively, were overweight or obese, according to NFHS-4 data.

These figures are shocking where one side the world has vowed to eliminate poverty and hunger by
2030 as part of 169 sustainable development goals adopted in 2015. The 2017 Global Food Policy
Report–released by International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)–studied the developments in
food policy around the world in 2016 with a “special focus on the challenges and opportunities
created by rapid urbanization, especially in low- and middle-income countries, for food security and
nutrition”.
According to the sixth annual report “India faces a paradoxical situation—its rapid
economic growth is coupled with a much slower decline in under-nutrition,”

According to To Different Studies and Survey’s

The country continued implementing its National Food Security Act (NFSA, under which 99.4 million
households to get 5 kg of subsidised foodgrain per person per month), Mid Day Meal Scheme (free
lunches for students in primary and upper primary classes), and anganwadi centres (courtyard centres
set up to combat child hunger and malnutrition) to tackle food and nutrition insecurity.

According to data from the Food & Agriculture Organization Less than 11% of the world was suffering
from undernourishment globally, In India, the figure stood at 15.2%.

Of 32 million people moved from rural areas to urban areas between 2001 and 2011, according to
migration data from Census 2011, 7.4 million moved for work/business while 10.4 million moved with
the household. Nearly 17% of India’s urban population, or more than 65 million people, lives in slums,
a number that has more than doubled over three decades.

According to 2012 study report As much as 78% of India’s workforce is employed in the informal
sector (excluding agriculture), which is mostly based in urban and semi-urban areas.

India is projected to add 404 million urban dwellers between 2014 and 2050–accounting for 16% of
the projected rise in urban population worldwide–according to this 2014 UN report.

“Poor urban dwellers face unique nutritional challenges around accessing nutritious food, adequate
employment, social protection, and adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, all of which
affect food security and nutrition,” the IFPRI report said. 

With most welfare programmes aimed at rural areas, the poorest of the urban poor remain
vulnerable.

According to the report of Anjani Kumar,a research fellow at the IFPRI’s South Asia Regional Office
Distress migration to urban areas is responsible for urbanising the issue of food insecurity”

There is a positive effect in rural because of the targeted public distribution system (PDS) aims to
cover 75% of rural households and 50% of urban households under NFSA–programmes such as
seeding PDS beneficiaries with their Aadhaar numbers will help avoid duplication and pilferage's.
Increased efficiency in PDS will enable an enhancement of coverage by 30% or more, thereby reaching
urban slums.

One in four children in India's cities are malnourished, but poverty is not the only cause

New Delhi: One in four children in India’s most populous cities was malnourished, and mother’s
education, feeding patterns and govt service delivery determine child nutrition in addition to
household wealth, according to a new report.

Even as India becomes highly urbanised, 22.3 percent of children under five were stunted, 21.4
percent were underweight and 13.9 percent were wasted in ten most populous cities of India,
showed the Urban HUNGaMA (hunger and malnutrition Survey report 2014, released on 7 February,
2018, by Naandi Foundation, a Hyderabad-based non-profit.)

The survey was conducted to assess the nutrition status of children aged 0-59 months living in the ten
most populous cities of India where more than 12,000 mothers were interviewed and heights and
weights of more than 14,000 children aged 0-59 months were measured.
Cities included in the survey were Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai,
Kolkata, Surat, Pune and Jaipur. Together, they account for 5.3 percent of India’s population and 4.1
percent of the child population aged 0-71 months.

In the 10 cities surveyed, 94.4 percent of children were born in hospitals while 88.6 percent were
weighed at birth and 37.1 percent of mothers had a cesarean delivery.

“Poor infant and young child feeding practices, compounded by the poor status of women, the
prevalence of household poverty and lack of government service delivery centre seem to be three
major drivers of stunting among urban children”

Status of Malnutrition In India’s Most Populous Cities

Indicator Prevalence in children under five (In %)

Stunting 22.30%
Wasting - 13.90%
Underweight - 21.40%
Overweight- 2.40%

CITY WISE NUTRITIONAL STATUS.- The Urban HUNGaMA (Hunger and Malnutrition)

Parameter Highest Lowest

A) low birth weight (less Kolkata - highehest Hyderabad- lowest -
than 2 kg) 25.1% children 13.5% - children

B) Stunted growth under Delhi had the highest Chennai lowest (14.8%)
age of 5. In 10 cities, proportion (30.6%),
22.3% children with low
height for age

C) Wasting in metros Mumbai- highest --with Jaipur had lowest (10.8%)

under age of five.low 19% of children .
weight for height

D) Overweight : high Chennai - highest (3.7%) Hyderabad had lowest

weight for height of children (0.7%)

E) Underweight : low Hyderabad highest Chennai had lowest

weight for age proportion (25.8%) of (13.5%)
children-- Surat (25.7%),
Ahmedabad (25.3%).

More educated mothers = Lower prevalence of stunting : 16.7% children of mothers who
completed 10 yrs of education were stunted, compared to 35.3% among those whose
mothers had 5 yrs of schooling . 29.3% children in lowest stratum of household wealth were
stunted, compared to 15% children in the highest stratum

12.2% children whose mothers had 10+ yrs of schooling were wasted, 17.6% among those
whose mothers had 5 yrs. 10.5% children in highest stratum of wealth were wasted, 16.7% in
lowest stratum

Prevalence of overweight was highest among children in highest stratum of household

wealth (3.6%), compared to 1.8% in the lowest stratum

Children aged 3-4 years most prone to stunting, underweight

Prevalence of stunting and underweight in Indian cities was highest between the third and fourth year
of life. As many as 14.7 percent children aged 0-5 months were stunted

The transition from breast milk to family foods known as complementary feeding is a vulnerable
period. Only 1 in 10 Indian children gets “adequately fed”.

Nearly 22.9 percent of children aged 12-17 months were stunted, and the prevalence rose to 25.7
percent among children aged 36-47 months. The rate dropped to 21.3 percent for children aged 48-59
months.

17.3 percent children aged 0-5 months were underweight while the prevalence rose to 23.3 percent
for children aged 48-59 months.

The prevalence of wasting is steady between 13 percent and 16 percent throughout the first five
years of life, while prevalence of overweight remained between 1.7 percent and 3.6 percent.

Poor service delivery worsens malnutrition

Only 37.4 percent of the households surveyed accessed a public distribution system outlet in the
month preceding the survey–lowest in Surat (10.9 percent) and highest in Kolkata (86.6 percent).

As a result, less than one in four children (22.5 percent) was fed a diet that meets the minimum
requirements for healthy growth and development, the survey showed.

Actions by Govt. Of India.

“The government launched a Unified Agricultural Marketing e-Platform in April
2016, a big milestone in improving farmers’ access to markets,”

As we know that a well-nourished child is likely to have better immunity, They fall sick less often and
perform better in school and grow to become productive adults.

Our government is running one of the largest anti-malnutrition programs. But the nutritional status of
Indian children is an eye opener for everyone of us. The Future of our Country , Indian children, is
dealing with one of the world's worst levels of malnutrition. Same time the undernourished children,
mostly belong to the poor socio-economic classes, get trapped in a vicious cycle of poor health and
poverty. It affects the growth of child at various levels.

While some farmers in some states are benefitting from the electronic National Agriculture Market
and the Agriculture Produce Market Committees, the results are not widespread, and farmers
continue to suffer due to the lack of direct contact with buyers/consumers, (IFPRI’)

Data presented by UNICEF, WHO, and the World Bank Group shows that Southern Asia continues to
be home to half the stunted and wasted children in the world, with India having the highest
percentage of wasted children aged under 5 years (21% of the child population). For other indicators
like infant, child, and neonatal mortality, and low birth weight, only Afghanistan and Pakistan are
worse than India. India’s Global Hunger Index ranking has dropped from 97 in 2016 to 100 in 2017,
and its nutritional indicators are seen as serious or critical in both the 2017 Global Nutrition
Report and the Global Hunger Index.

Back in July 2014, India’s finance minister announced in his budget speech that “a national
programme in Mission Mode is urgently required to halt the deteriorating malnutrition situation in
India, as present interventions are not adequate. A comprehensive strategy including detailed
methodology, costing, time lines and monitorable targets will be put in place within six months.”
The government announced it would be setting up a National Nutrition Mission (NNM) with a three
year budget of Rs 9046.17 crore, commencing from 2017-18.

No more than 12% of beverages and 16% of foods sold by nine leading Indian food and beverage
companies were of “high nutritional quality”, according to the Access to Nutrition Index India
Spotlight, 2016, the first survey of its kind. (March 2017-Indiaspend)

This is because the government sets a minimum support price for paddy–and because unlike
perishables such as fruits and vegetables, handling costs are lower.

As port-farmgate functions–such as storage, transportation and distribution–play an important role in

prices and employment, policy makers should pay greater attention to the segment. Price shocks
affects the poorest of the urban poor.