One of the primary goals of the ongoing ‘Poshan Maah’ (Nutrition Month) campaign, spearheaded by the Women and Child Development department, is to actively reduce the consumption of sugar and oil to fight the growing challenge of obesity.
This significant campaign is a flagship program by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, designed to enhance the nutritional well-being of both children and pregnant women nationwide.
Running throughout the month until October 16, this initiative is dedicated to boosting nutrition knowledge and encouraging sustainable healthy lifestyle practices.
With childhood obesity on the rise, a major emphasis will be placed on educating the public about the detrimental impacts of unhealthy foods—those high in fat, sugar, and salt—which are often inexpensive but offer little nutritional value.
Throughout this month, the campaign will underscore that tackling obesity is a collective social responsibility. It will highlight the importance of creating supportive environments that encourage healthy eating and consistent physical activity as fundamental lifestyle adjustments. To further engage the public, a variety of fitness challenges and interactive nutrition workshops are also scheduled.
Furthermore, efforts will focus on promoting awareness of healthier alternatives to sugar and readily available low-calorie food options. To identify and address obesity early, Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings will be conducted in anganwadis (rural childcare centers) and within local communities for children and adolescents.
A crucial aspect of the campaign is actively encouraging men to participate in nutrition awareness programs and care-giving roles, aiming to cultivate a sense of shared responsibility for family and community health.
To integrate male involvement into these vital responsibilities, particularly within the ‘first 1,000 days’ program (critical for early child development), various activities will be organized. These include specialized nutrition meetings, collective nutrition pledges, infant and young child feeding sessions, and targeted workshops.
Engaging cooking contests will also be a part of these initiatives, specifically tailored for men.
The ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi’ initiative cleverly combines nutrition with early childhood education, promoting comprehensive child development. It seeks creative methods to educate children about food, healthy eating, and overall well-being.
The “Vocal for Local” initiative is also a key component, aiming to champion traditional, indigenous food practices that inherently support better nutrition.
Throughout the month, in collaboration with various government departments, a wide array of activities will take place. These include engaging nutrition exhibitions and camps, growth monitoring, advocating for millet consumption, and organizing specialized camps to screen for severe and moderate acute malnutrition, stunting, wasting, underweight, and obesity among children. Additionally, lactation counseling, poster creation, and informative seminars are planned to reach a broad audience.