By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
Reducing consumption of sugar and oil to combat obesity is one of the key themes of the ongoing Poshan Maah (nutrition month) observance by the Women and Child Development department.
Poshan Maah is a flagship programme of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development to improve nutritional status of children and pregnant women.
The month-long observance till October 16 aims to enhance nutrition literacy and healthy practices.
Against the backdrop of an increase in childhood obesity, focus will be on creating awareness of the harmful effects of foods with high fat, high sugar, high salt content that are often cheap and lack nutrition.
During this months, efforts will be made to drive home the message that reducing obesity is a social responsibility. Stress will given to providing a supportive environment to make healthy food habits and regular physical activity a part of lifestyle changes in order to address obesity. Fitness challenges and nutrition workshops are also planned to improve people participation.
Awareness of proven alternatives to sugar and low calorie foods will be created. Body mass index screening will be held in anganwadis and in the community too identify cases of obesity among children and adolescents.
Another thrust area is promoting participation of men in nutrition awareness and care-giving to foster shared responsibility in family and community health.
Mainstreaming of male involvement in such responsibilities as part of the first 1,000 days programme will be done through organising nutrition meetings, nutrition pledges, infant and young child feeding session, and workshops centred on them.
Cooking contests will also be held for them.
Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi integrates nutrition with early education for holistic child development. The idea is to find innovative ways to teach kids while introducing them to food, nutrition, and health.
Vocal for local is an initiative to promote indigenous practices and ensure nutrition.
Nutrition exhibitions and camps; growth tracking; promotion of millet consumption; camps to detect severe and moderate acute malnutrition, stunting, wasting, severe and moderate underweight children, and obesity; lactation counselling; poster preparation and seminars will be held during the month in convergence with other departments.
