Early Nutrition Impacts Understanding development

Source: The post effects of stunting has been created, based on the article “Early nutrition impacts cognitive development” published in “The Hindu” on 30th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, issues relating to poverty and hunger.

Early Nutrition Impacts Understanding development, The article discusses how stunting from poor nutrition in early childhood affects a child’s brain development and learning. It also talks about India’s efforts to combat stunting through nutrition programs, improved sanitation, and educating mothers about child feeding and care.

What are The Different Studies Related to The Effects of Stunting?

Study by Sánchez et al. (2024): This study in ‘World Development’ explored the connection between early under-nutrition and four key cognitive skills developed later in childhood: working memory, inhibitory control, long-term memory, and implicit learning. The first two measure executive functioning. For example, study done in Ethiopia and Peru found that stunting at age 5 negatively impacts these cognitive functions.

Spears (2013) Study: This research focused on how improved sanitation in India can reduce the incidence of diarrhea and stunting, highlighting the importance of clean water and sanitation infrastructure.

NCERT’s National Achievement Test and Pratham’s Annual Status of Education Report: These Indian studies assess children’s enrollment and learning outcomes, providing insight into how stunting affects educational achievement.

Studies on Maternal Factors in India: Research in India has demonstrated that a mother’s height and education level are strong predictors of her child’s risk of stunting, underscoring the importance of maternal health and education in preventing stunting.

What are The Challenges in Measuring The Effects of Stunting on Child Development?

Specific Focus of Research: Research on the effects of stunting often concentrates on specific cognitive-achievement test scores, like math, reading, and vocabulary. This approach might not fully capture the broader cognitive impacts of stunting.

Achievement Tests and Cognitive Skills: Achievement tests, which are designed to assess knowledge acquired through schooling, may not accurately reflect a child’s inherent cognitive skills. These tests are influenced by both cognitive abilities and educational opportunities, complicating the assessment of stunting’s impact on cognitive development.

Influence of Behavioral Factors: The research tends to overlook behavioral factors, such as delayed school enrollment, which can be a consequence of stunting. These factors can significantly affect learning outcomes, thus impacting the evaluation of stunting’s true effects on cognitive development.

Complexity in Isolating Stunting’s Impact: Studies like the one by Sánchez et al. in ‘World Development’ use statistical techniques like household fixed effects to control for unobserved factors within a household. This is necessary to focus on the effects of variables like stunting on cognitive development, highlighting the complexity in measuring stunting’s effects accurately.

What Measures is India Taking Against Stunting?

Poshan Abhiyaan and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): These programs aim to enhance nutrition and overall development of pregnant women, mothers, and children. They focus on improving the quality and utilization of Anganwadi services.

Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission: India is improving sanitation and clean water facilities to reduce diseases like diarrhea. Better sanitation is linked to lower stunting rates.

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What Should be Done?

Promote Early Breastfeeding: Focus on early and continued breastfeeding for two years, coupled with appropriate complementary feeding starting at six months, as part of initiatives like the Mother’s Absolute Affection Programme.

Educate on Diet Diversity: Scale up community-based programs to educate parents about diversifying diets with locally available, nutrient-rich foods after six months of age.

Increase Childcare Center Staff: Add an extra Anganwadi worker to each center to double preschool instructional time, improving math and language scores, as evidenced by a trial in Tamil Nadu.

Question for practice:

Discuss the key studies related to the effects of stunting on child development and the challenges in measuring these effects.