IS NUTRITIONAL HEALTH OF NEPAL GETTING STRONGER ?

IS THE NUTRITIONAL HEALTH OF NEPAL GETTING STRONGER?

BY SUMITRA ADHIKARI

Although Nutritional health in Nepal is steadily rising, many people of Nepal are suffering from food insecurities and are struggling day to day to eat their meals. According to Global Hunger Index 2021, Nepal ranks 76th out of the 116th countries.

Nepal is an agricultural country where 66% of people are directly engaged in farming, yet food is in low supply for Nepali citizens. Limited farming space, low-quality seeds & poor soil management & low quality infrastructure contribute to this low productivity. And this low productivity contribute to the malnutrition. According to Nepal Demographic & Health Survey 2006, the reduction of under-five malnutrition is very minimum & in remote & rural areas, the prevalence of some of the diseases associated with food & micro nutrients is a major problem. Out of 28.5 million of population of Nepal, 36% of children under 5 are stunted & 25% of people live on less than US $0.50 per day. Those people who live mountain region and rural areas of far are the most likely to suffer from poverty. The reason of malnutrition of Nepal is not only due to poverty but the geography as well. Little infrastructures with a lack of roads and medical facilities as well as poor sanitation & hygiene are the main causes of malnutrition in rural areas of Nepal.

According to Nepal Demographic & Health Survey 2016, the prevalence of anemia among 6-59 months increases from 46% to 53%. According to recent ILO report, 12 districts of Nepal where the systems of bonded labor are most prevalent found that 12% of estimated 942000 households were affected by forced labor. Ram Lakha, a 14 years old boy who work as bonded labor & do each and every work in owner house, field & looks over the domestic animal of the owner. He gets food after the landowner & his family finished their meal. They are struggling each & every day to eat food whether it is healthy or unhealthy. These issues can lead to health problems, psychological problems, nutritional issues and other.

The prevalence of anemia among women of reproductive age increases from 35% to 41% between 2006 and 2016. Gender inequality, the challenge faced by girls including young motherhood increases food and nutrition insecurities. Education was a protective factor – women with education were more likely to be food secure compared to their counterparts without education. Though the government provided iron capsules and folic acid to n during pregnancy. Now due to the increasing rate of anemia our government decide to provide Vitamin B6 capsules instead sales adding folic acid. The main problem is our government don’t focus on iron-containing foods and nutritious food which is found in our house and field

.Today, people are attracted to junk foods rather than nutritious foods. People are avoiding nutritious food which can treat many illnesses instead they are ready to take medicine by consuming unhealthy food. Nepal's government should focus on eradicating poverty and improving the economic situation in the country. Let’s hope the concerned authorities will continue their efforts to end the problems prevailing due to the scarcity of nutritious food. If the people consume nutritious food, then they will be healthy and that’s sure that healthy people can play a vital role in the development of the country.

To develop a country, prioritize nutritious food.