The eighth season of the Banega Swasth India initiative stresses on the need to take care of, and consider everyone's health in India especially vulnerable communities
Oct 03, 2021
15:18 (IST)
Good nutrition means good life: Basanta Kumar Kar, Recipient of Global Nutrition Leadership Award
Worldwide malnutrition outcomes are deeply unfair. There are some people who are more malnourished than others. If you want to really transform the first 1,000 days, it starts from antenatal care till 2 years of age of the child. Good nutrition means good life. For a pandemic-free society, you need malnutrition-free society. Good nutrition can bring growth, improve GDP. For the survival and thrive of the child, the first 1,000 days are important. you also need to invest in the second window of opportunity that is adolescent girls. First 1,000 days build the foundation.
Pregnant mothers need one extra meal, rest, regular check-up and good care. Evidence suggests that mental health has bearing on low birth weight. 80 per cent of rapid brain growth happens in the first two years of life. They need one additional meal because in India around 50 per cent of the total children are born with low birth weight. When a child is born, it is very unfortunate that exclusive breastfeeding is around 45 per cent.