New Delhi: The Indian Government has started a survey to develop Child Growth Standard parameters for the first time.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will conduct this survey in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Till now, WHO has conducted this survey only across six countries. They used to survey one to two places in each country and used to publish the report based on that data only. This too was last done in 2006.
With no new data, the 2006 inputs were used as a standard for child nutrition. After 18 years, ICMR is again starting the Indian Child Growth Reference Research.
In this survey, the height and weight of all children up to two years of age will be measured and a mass index will be prepared. The Child Growth Standard will be based on this only.
The country has been divided into six zones for this survey. These include Shillong (North East Zone), Pune (West Zone), Delhi (North Zone), Bengaluru (South Zone) and Purulia in West Bengal (East Zone).
The main aim of this surgery will be to check if the child is growing properly, how much it is eating and how to map the growth with its food intake.
For these 500 healthy pregnant women will be brought into the survey. Once they give birth, the surgeon will check the health, height and weight of the children, how their weight is increasing and whether they are having ailments.
These 6 zones have different climates, temperatures and food habits. The climate also changes seasonally.
All children from these six zones will be surveyed for two years, so check the variations in growth based on the differing parameters.
Finally, data from six places will be compiled to create a Growth Standard. The survey will create standards about where the children are lacking nutrition.
These survey reports will be used to assess nutrition levels and bring necessary changes in Anganwadi and Mid-Day meals. Even child treatment will undergo changes subsequently.
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