Uttar Pradesh’s new anti-malnutrition plan provides free nutritional supplements to children under six to tackle stunting, wasting, and underweight issues. Targeting over 1.5 crore kids, the initiative includes micronutrient powders and fortified foods, supported by Poshan Tracker data. Community outreach and maternal nutrition programs aim to break the malnutrition cycle, with a focus on vulnerable districts.
Uttar Pradesh Rolls Out Ambitious Plan to Fight Child Malnutrition
In a significant push to address child malnutrition, the Uttar Pradesh government has rolled out an expansive anti-malnutrition plan, offering free nutritional supplements to children under six years of age. The initiative, launched in 2025, aims to curb the alarming rates of stunting, wasting, and underweight conditions among children, particularly in high-burden districts like Gorakhpur, Bahraich, and Shravasti. According to the latest Poshan Tracker data from June 2024, Uttar Pradesh reported a stunting rate of 46.36%, the highest in India, with 17% of children under six underweight and 6% wasted, highlighting the urgency of the intervention.
The program targets over 1.5 crore children across the state, providing micronutrient powders, fortified foods, and ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) to address deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals like iron, vitamin A, and zinc. These supplements are distributed through Anganwadi centers under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) framework, which has been strengthened with additional funding and staff training. The initiative also incorporates millets in take-home rations and hot-cooked meals served at Anganwadis, promoting locally sourced, nutrient-rich foods at least once a week.
To ensure effective implementation, the state has introduced a telecalling hub under Mission Poshan 2.0, enabling real-time feedback from beneficiaries. This hub, integrated with ICDS, facilitates monitoring of supplement distribution and tracks health outcomes for every 500 calls made. The government is also focusing on community engagement, with ‘Buddy Mothers’—local women trained to counsel families on nutrition—playing a pivotal role in rural areas. These efforts align with the National Nutrition Strategy’s goal of reducing stunting by three percentage points annually and achieving a malnutrition-free India by 2030.
Maternal nutrition is another cornerstone of the plan. Recognizing the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition, the program provides supplementary nutrition to pregnant and lactating mothers, alongside counseling on breastfeeding and hygiene practices. Health experts emphasize that malnutrition during pregnancy often leads to low birth weight, increasing the risk of stunting in children. To address this, the state is scaling up iron and folic acid supplementation and promoting institutional deliveries to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes.
The initiative also tackles systemic challenges like poverty and sanitation, which exacerbate malnutrition. With only 69% of households in Uttar Pradesh using improved sanitation facilities, as per the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5), the government is collaborating with the Swachh Bharat Mission to enhance access to clean water and sanitation in rural areas. This is critical, as poor hygiene contributes to infections like diarrhea, which hinder nutrient absorption in children.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Experts point out that inconsistent delivery of services and lack of real-time data have historically hampered nutritional interventions. The telecalling hub aims to address this by ensuring accountability and timely feedback. Additionally, the state is investing in healthcare infrastructure, with plans to increase the number of Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs) to treat severe and moderate acute malnutrition (SAM and MAM). In 2024, over 1,200 severely malnourished children in Uttar Pradesh were supported through NRCs, with home delivery of supplements during emergencies.
The program has garnered support from organizations like UNICEF, which is aiding in policy advocacy and caregiver counseling. The focus on early intervention, particularly in the first 1,000 days from conception to a child’s second birthday, is seen as a game-changer. Health experts stress that this period is critical for cognitive and physical development, and addressing malnutrition early can prevent irreversible damage.
Uttar Pradesh’s anti-malnutrition plan is a step toward meeting the World Health Assembly’s target of reducing stunting by 40% and wasting to less than 5% by 2025. While the state faces a steep challenge, given its high malnutrition rates, the combination of free supplements, community-driven outreach, and technological monitoring offers hope for a healthier future for its children.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news reports, government announcements, and data from sources like Poshan Tracker, NFHS-5, and UNICEF. The information reflects the latest available updates as of August 2025. For medical or nutritional advice, consult a certified professional.