Stunting in India
The problem of child stunting in India remains public health challenge. Despite the launch of the POSHAN Abhiyaan in 2018 aiming to reduce stunting by 2% points annually, the reduction has been minimal. The 2025 data reveals that 37% of children under five are stunted, only slightly lower than the 38.4% recorded in 2016. This slow progress marks deep-rooted systemic issues affecting child nutrition and growth.
About Stunting and Its Impact
Stunting refers to children being too short for their age due to chronic malnutrition. It signals long-term deprivation affecting physical and cognitive development. Stunted children face higher risks of poor education, low productivity, and poverty in adulthood. Nearly half of stunted children are born small, indicating prenatal factors at play.
Maternal Health and Early Childhood Care
Maternal health is crucial for preventing stunting. Teenage pregnancies and anaemia during pregnancy increase risks. Young mothers often lack the physical maturity and resources to support healthy child growth. Despite laws against child marriage, adolescent pregnancies persist, with nearly 7% of women aged 15-19 having begun childbearing. Maternal education strongly influences child nutrition outcomes, with stunting rates nearly double among children of uneducated mothers compared to those with educated mothers.
Nutrition and Breastfeeding Practices
Poor diets dominated by carbohydrates and low protein intake contribute to stunting. Only 11% of children under two receive a minimum acceptable diet combining diversity and frequency. Breastfeeding rates are suboptimal; only 64% of infants under six months are exclusively breastfed. Caesarean deliveries, rising to over 22% in 2021, disrupt early breastfeeding initiation, affecting infant nutrition. Socioeconomic disparities limit maternity leave and breastfeeding support for working mothers.
Sanitation and Environmental Factors
Unsafe water and poor sanitation exacerbate malnutrition. Open defecation persists in 19% of households, contaminating water sources and causing repeated infections. These infections impair nutrient absorption, creating a vicious cycle of illness and malnutrition. Children in unsanitary environments are more vulnerable to stunting.
Systemic Barriers and Socioeconomic Dimensions
Stunting reflects broader social inequalities. Poverty, low education, and inadequate healthcare access create persistent barriers. Protein and micronutrient-rich foods remain inaccessible to many, especially in tribal and poor communities. Government programmes have introduced some improvements, such as eggs in Anganwadi meals, yet coverage and quality remain inadequate.
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