“Optimal Infant & Young Child Feeding Practices: Better Child Health”– Theme 2017
The National Nutrition Week (NNW) is an annual nutrition event initiated by the Food and Nutrition Board, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. It is observed throughout the country from 1 to 7 September every year.
Aim:
The basic aim of this annual event is to intensify awareness generation on the importance of nutrition for health which has an impact on development, productivity, economic growth and ultimately on the nation’s progress.
Key facts:
During this week the Food and Nutrition Board of Ministry of Women & Child Development, through its 43 Community Food and Nutrition Extension Units (CFNEUs) located in 30 States/UTs, will coordinate with the concerned Departments of the State/UT Governments, National Institutions, NGOs and organize State/UT Level Workshops, Orientation Training of Fields Functionaries, Awareness Generation Camps, Community meetings during the week on the specified theme.
Theme 2017:
This year’s theme, ‘Better Child Health’, focuses on the essential feeding practices that must optimally be carried out to ensure proper development and nourishment of the infants and young children. At the core of the theme for National Nutrition Week 2017 are issues revolving around adequate maternal nutrition including before, during and after pregnancy, the benefits of breastfeeding, and awareness on how to begin introducing complementary feeding items (solid food items) to a child’s diet.
History of national nutrition week:
This campaign was first started by the central government in the year 1982 in order to encourage good health and healthy living through nutrition education, as malnutrition is a significant obstruction to the nation’s progress. To spread awareness on the ill effects of malnutrition, the Food and Nutrition Board including 43 units (departments of women and child development, health and NGOs) is working all over the country to coordinate related activities.
Objectives of the national nutrition week celebration
- To review the frequency of problems in diets and nutrition prevalent amongst various communities
- To evaluate the appropriate techniques to prevent and control the nutritional problems through deep research
- To monitor the diet and nutrition conditions prevalent in the country
- To carry out operational research in order to plan and implement nation-wide nutrition programs
- To spread awareness among people through the orientation training about health and nutrition
Activities during national nutrition week
- Through the entire duration of the National Nutrition Week, education and training programs on nutrition methods are held.
- Mass nutrition awareness campaigns are run by the governmental and non-governmental health organizations.
- People are motivated through the distribution of nutrition related educational and training materials.
- People are given proper training for the preservation of nutritious materials like fruits, vegetables and other foods at home.
- Proper training is given to the people about food analysis and standardization.
- Various other National Nutrition Policies are run by the government in order to achieve the goal during the National Nutrition Week celebration.
References
- Advisory released by Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India for National Nutrition Week, 20L7
- http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=170406