Gujarat's malnutrition crisis worsens as 2.57 lakh children suffer

Over 2.57 lakh children in Gujarat are battling malnutrition, according to recent figures. The state's latest data reveals a sharp rise in cases across multiple districts, with some areas reporting alarming numbers of severely underweight children.

Panchmahal recorded the highest number of malnourished children at 20,762. Banaskantha followed closely with 19,391 cases, while Kheda reported 18,590. Among these, Kheda saw the steepest increase, adding 689 new cases.

Chhota Udepur stood out with the highest count of severely underweight children—4,048 in total. Amreli and Chhota Udepur also experienced significant rises in malnutrition figures. Urban districts like Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Anand, and Mehsana did not escape the trend, reporting substantial numbers as well. Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Kutch, and Bharuch were similarly affected, though Porbandar had the lowest figure at just 666 cases.

In response, the Gujarat government rolled out several initiatives. These included expanding the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), strengthening mid-day meal schemes in schools, and reforming the Public Distribution System to improve nutrition. Targeted health camps were also held in Panchmahal, Banaskantha, and Chhota Udepur. However, detailed reports on measurable outcomes for the 2021-2026 period remain limited in public records.

The total number of malnourished children in Gujarat now stands at 2,57,269, with 2,11,635 classified as underweight and 45,634 as severely underweight. Government efforts continue, but the persistence of high malnutrition rates highlights ongoing challenges in child health across the state.