Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates (JME) 2023

India is having a reduction in stunting but wasting and obesity remains a concern.

• JME 2023 is jointly released by UNICEF, WHO and World Bank.

Global Scenario

• Obesity – The prevalence of obesity marginally increased in a decade in 2022 compared to 2012.
• But the overall classification for obesity is low and much lower than the global prevalence.
• Stunting – It is declined from a prevalence rate of 26.3% in 2012 to 22.3% in 2022.
• In South Asia, the decline was much sharper as it dropped from 40.3% to 30.5%.
• Wasting – It is probably more complex in South Asia and India.
• While in Africa it starts from 4-6 months.

In India

• Obesity – Prevalence of overweight children increased in India in 2022 compared to 2012.
• Stunting – India continues to show a reduction in stunted children under 5 years in 2022 compared to 2012.
• Wasting – In India 2/3rds of children at 12 or 24 months had wasting at birth or at one month of age.
• It is caused by maternal malnutrition.

India’s Target