International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics

Malnutrition is proving to be a big problem in the Tamil Nadu area of India, officials have warned.

According to National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), five per cent of under-fives in the region are classed as severely malnourished, while 45 per cent have mild or moderate malnutrition, the Asian Age reports.

As a result, many young children are underweight and susceptible to various illnesses, including viral infections and diarrhoea.

Dr Sharadha Suresh, technical advisor to the NRHM's child health committee, has therefore called for action to be taken to curb this threat.

"Up to one year of age, most babies are healthy as they receive mothers' milk, which is rich in iron and all other essential nutrients," she commented.

However, she stated that problems begin to arise at the weaning stage, with children failing to consume enough nutritious foods such as carrots and rice.

Dr Suresh warned that lots of women are unsure how frequently a baby should be fed and how to provide food that meets their tastes.

Posted by Alexandra George