Dietary and Ayush Advisory for Malnourished Children

‘Good nutrition allows children to survive, grow, develop, learn, play, participate and contribute—while malnutrition robs children of their futures and leaves young lives hanging in the balance'

Malnutrition is any deficiency, excess or imbalance in children's intake of energy and/or nutrients.

Who is at risk?

Infants, children, and adolescents are at particular risk of malnutrition. Optimizing nutrition early in life—including the 1000 days from conception to a child's second birthday - ensures the best possible start in life, with long-term benefits.

Malnutrition is caused by one or more of these factors. Apart from inadequate food intake, regular faulty dietary habits, intake of nonnutritious food items, unhygienic conditions, incorrect Infant & Young Children Feeding (IYCF) practices are some of the important preventable causes of malnutrition.

These factors are interdependent. For instance, a child with inadequate & faulty dietary intake is more susceptible to diseases, which in turn reduces appetite, inhibits the absorption of food nutrients, and competes for a child's energy. 

Impact of Malnutrition on Health

• Poor physical development
• Poor mental growth and impaired cognitive function
• Poor school performances,
• Weakening of the immune system and increased susceptibility to infections
• Ill health, and
• Prone to death due to respiratory infections and diarrhea 

Impact on Productivity

Malnutrition negatively influences human productivity- Most malnourished children attain low levels of education, affecting their ability and opportunities to get good jobs, thus lowering their earning potential. This contributes to poverty by impeding the ability of an individual to live a productive life.

Common symptoms of Malnourished children

• Reduced Appetite or lack of interest in foods and drinks
• Not growing or putting on weight and height at the expected rate
• Low energy level/lethargy, tiring more easily than other children
• Changes in behavior, such as being unusually irritable, slow or anxious
• Poor concentration
• Getting ill often and taking a long time to recover

Ayush Advisory for Preventing Childhood Malnutrition

• Under nutrition starts during intra-uterine and continues in later life. Conception to first two years of life (first 1000 days) is most important period to prevent the under nutrition in children.
• Pregnant mothers shall follow advisory as mentioned above to have adequate nutrition.
• Child should be given exclusive breastfeeding for six months and regular breastfeeding until the age of two years at least.
• In extreme condition and non-availability of Mother's Milk, Cow Milk and Goat Milk should be given without dilution in hygienic conditions.
• Introduction of appropriate complimentary feeding at six months of age:
  • After six months, the major cause for under nutrition is improper complimentary feeding & weaning practices. Complimentary foods can cover the nutrient needs in infants, only if it is rich in energ.
  • Initial introduction with liquid and semi-solid food recipes like-. Chawal ka mand (rice gruel), mudga (green gram) Yush, vegetable soup processed with cumin seeds/powder, Daliya, smashed- kela (banana)/aaloo (potato)/seb (apple), Ragi (Finger millet) and Kela (Banana) Smoothie etc. Adding ½-1 TSF ghee in the food will be beneficial.
  • After that, various regional, highly nutritious foods can be used as supplementary food during 6 months to 2 years: Ragi (finger millet)-halwa, Nachni (finger millet) halwa, Rajgira (Amaranth) halwa /Laddu, Idli/Dosa/Ambali (Sorrel leaves)/Ragi Hurihittu, Payasam, Dhan ki Kheer, Mixed Millet and Shahajan (Drum-stick) Leaves Dosa, Mung (green gram) kheer, Khichadi etc.
• Avoid harmful and inappropriate foods like- processed/packaged food items, carbonated soft drinks and switch to home prepared healthy, nutritious and fresh food and beverages from fruits and vegetables.

Tips for improving digestion and assimilation of nutrients

Fortification of Food with bio enhancer: Various spices available in the kitchen like powder of Pippali (Long pepper), Marich (Black pepper), Adrak (Ginger), Dhaniya (Coriander, Jeera (Cumin seed) in small quantity (0.5-1 gm) can be mixed with aata or while preparing other recipes. Trikatu Churna, Dadimashtak Churna, Hingwashtak Churna, Panchakol Churna etc. (0.5-1 gm) can be used instead (any one product).

It will help to facilitate digestion of food and thereby increasing the absorption of essential nutrients through the intestines. 

Immunity and Malnutrition

• Immune dysfunction is both a cause and consequence of malnutrition.
• Defects in both the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system have been consistently demonstrated in undernourished children.
• The gut is the primary interface between diet and the immune system, and a range of postnatal cues from the microbiota, pathogens, and dietary components are required for healthy development of gutassociated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Therefore, appropriate dietary regimen and adequate nutritional intake, combined with the integration of different functional foods can be helpful for maintaining optimal levels of immune response / improving the various aspects of the immune system.
• For prevention and management of Malnutrition, immunity enhancer products of Ayush like Chyavanprash Avaleha, Ashwgandhadi Leha, Indukantam Ghrita, Arvindasav etc. can be taken with the advice of Ayush Physician.

Source : Ministry of AYUSH