National Family Health Survey -- 3 (2007).

Now that most of the data on nutritional status from National Family Health Survey-3 (NFHS-3) is available there is a glimmer of hope and cheer as some of the nutritional parameters seem to have improved somewhat even though the levels of malnutrition remain exceptionally high. Accordingly to NFHS-3 in 2005-06 46 per cent of children under three years of age were underweight 38% were stunted and 10% were wasted. Comparable figures for NFHS-2 (1998-99) are 47 45.5 and 15.5% the situation being worse in rural compared to urban areas. According to NFHS-1 (1991-92) and NFHS-2 (1998-99) child malnutrition sets in very early in life as nearly 12% of 0-6 months old children are underweight. It increases rapidly and by 24 months more than half the children are underweight. It is obvious therefore that for preventing malnutrition the crucial period is birth to two years. Prevention and management therefore primarily has to be at the household level and should become an integral part of an Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) activity and responsibility with active support and collaboration of the health infrastructure. (excerpt)