Gujarat's malnutrition crisis deepens as 2.57 lakh children suffer undernourishment

Over 2.57 lakh children in Gujarat are currently battling malnutrition, according to the latest official figures. The state recorded 2,57,269 malnourished children across 30 districts, with some areas seeing sharp increases in cases over the past year.

Panchmahal reported the highest number of malnourished children, totaling 20,762. Banaskantha followed closely with 19,391 cases, while Kheda recorded 18,590—marking the largest rise in malnutrition with 689 additional cases since last year. Chhota Udepur and Amreli also saw significant increases in underweight children.

Among urban districts, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Anand, and Mehsana reported notable numbers of affected children. Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Kutch, and Bharuch were also severely impacted. Meanwhile, Porbandar had the lowest figure, with just 666 malnourished children. The data further reveals that 2,11,635 children in Gujarat are underweight, while 45,634 suffer from severe malnutrition. Chhota Udepur alone accounted for 4,048 of the most severe cases. In response, Gujarat's government has been implementing the **Poshan Abhiyaan programme**, which includes food supplements, screening camps, and awareness drives through ICDS centres. These efforts aim to tackle the issue, but the latest figures highlight persistent challenges.

The latest statistics confirm that malnutrition remains a critical issue in Gujarat, with over 2.57 lakh children affected. While state-led programmes continue, the rising numbers in districts like Kheda and Chhota Udepur suggest ongoing struggles in combating child undernourishment.