| Introduction: Give an introduction to health and nutrition. Body: State the importance of health and nutrition and how they can help in demographic dividend. Conclusion: Conclude by giving positive directions. |
Health and nutrition are pivotal for the development of a girl child. Health and nutrition during adolescence offer a second opportunity for the growth of a girl child if she is neglected during her early stages after birth. Various health reports suggest that adolescent health is also an important long-term predictor of women’s participation in the labour market in India because improved nutrition increases every young girl’s chances of engaging in productive activities. By funding nutrition treatments for adolescent females, the government has a tremendous chance to increase its demographic dividend.
Why is it important to prioritise health and nutrition?
- Undernutrition & Anaemia: Due to mensuration girls are often vulnerable to these problems. National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) shows 59.1% of adolescent girls are anaemic. NFHS-4 numbers also reported over 41.9% of school-going girls as underweight highlighting the cause for concern.
- Cognitive Impairments: Insufficient nutrition and an unbalanced diet might cause cognitive problems that have an impact on a person’s academic performance. Because of this, there may be fewer prospects for work and financial independence later in life, which may limit their ability to achieve higher levels of schooling.
- Health Risk: Undernourished Adolescent girls are also more likely to develop chronic illnesses and experience pregnancy problems, which can place a greater financial burden on families and communities and increase poverty. They are less likely to actively participate in society through work, politics, or community involvement if they are less healthy and educated.
How to improve access to nutrition which can contribute to demographic dividend?
- Focus on the Life cycle approach: Redefining our investment and focus on nutrition, health, and breaking the cycle of poverty can lead to potential returns in the form of well-nourished girls, healthy babies, and better care for their families.
- Use of technology and data: Holistic use of data and technology on linkages between nutrition and overall mental and physical well-being can raise individual productivity and overall economic growth of the country.
- Convergence of welfare schemes: Convergence of government initiatives such as the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) with (POSHAN) 2.0 can bring desired results that stem from collective endeavor and cooperation of many departments.
- Health workers: Focus on the training of Auxillary Nurse midwives and ASHA workers can lead to effective implementation of the scheme. They should receive adequate salaries and be given the benefits of formal employees.
- Targeting of schemes: Targeted adolescent-focused projects like the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK) could incorporate stronger awareness and nutrition education activities. Increased demand and the adoption of best practices will undoubtedly result from targeted and regionally contextualized Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) efforts on teenage girls’ nutrition.
Conclusion:
It is important to recognize that solving the complicated problem of nutrition among adolescent girls is an investment in the future of the country as well as a health issue. The strength of a nation is measured by its capacity to raise its future generations, and providing opportunity to every girl to reach her full potential.
