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India carries one of the highest burdens in the world

Malnutrition is a serious health condition that occurs when the body does not receive the right amount of nutrients. According to the WHO, malnutrition includes deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in energy and nutrient intake. It affects people of all ages, especially children, and remains one of the biggest global public health challenges. Join us in this eradication.

In India:
• 35.5% of children are stunted
• 19.3% are wasted
• 32.1% are underweight
• 67.1% suffer from anaemia

The first 1,000 days of life

During the first 1,000 days of life (from pregnancy to age 2), the brain and body develop rapidly. If a child does not receive proper nutrients during this period, the body adapts for survival. This leads to:

Weakened Immune System: Epigenetic changes can affect immune-related genes, making children:

  • More vulnerable to infections
  • Slower to recover from illness

Intergenerational Impact: The effects of malnutrition can pass from one generation to another.

Example:

  • A malnourished mother is more likely to give birth to a low-birth-weight baby.
  • The child may also face growth and developmental problems.

This creates an intergenerational cycle of malnutrition and poverty.

Epigenetic Impact of Malnutrition

Epigenetics refers to changes in gene activity without changing the DNA sequence itself. Environmental factors such as nutrition, stress, pollution, and infections can “switch genes on or off. In simple terms, malnutrition during early childhood can affect how a child’s genes function and develop. If a child does not receive proper nutrients during this period, the body adapts for survival.

These adaptations create epigenetic changes that may permanently affect:

• Risk of non-communicable diseases due to malnutrition
• Brain development
• Motor skills development
• Metabolism
• Growth
• Immunity
• Learning ability

पोषणKIDS Projects

Schools and andanwadi programs:

  • In rural Maharashtra in Ambernath & Ratnagiri
  • Covering 500 families
  • Diagnostics
  • Balanced and diverse diets
  • Micronutrient supplementation
  • School meal programs awareness
  • Nutrition education
  • Promotion of physical activity
  • Reduction of junk food consumption
  • Healthcare and sanitation systems
  • Funding required: Rs 10,00,000

If you’d like to partner with this ongoing program, please reach out to Shravya on +919833710731