More than half of Indian kids under the age of 5 are anaemic

While on one hand India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world with a bright and promising future, it also has a side that’s dark and terrifying.

As per the recently released National Family Health Survey, over 58% of children below five years of age in India are anaemic, suffering from insufficient haemoglobin in their blood. This is alarming since the condition, caused mainly by poverty, leaves them exhausted, vulnerable to infections, and might also affect their brain development.

The survey, which covered six lakh households, was carried out in 2015-16, also shows that 38% of children under five years of age were stunted, 21% were wasted and 36% weighed less than normal.

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As per the 2011 Census data, the total number of children in this age group under-five in India in 2015 is projected at 12.4 crore, which leaves around 7.2 crore anaemic, nearly 5 crore stunted, around 2.6 crore wasted and 4.4 crore underweight.

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There has been only a little improvement since the last such survey in 2005-06.

As per the World Health Organisation, high levels of these markers clearly indicate "poor socio-economic conditions" and "suboptimal health and/or nutritional conditions," hinting at lack of food, unhealthy living conditions and poor health delivery systems.

(Image source: Povertyactionlab)