India has 6.7 Million ‘Zero-Food’ Children, Study Says

Hunger Impacts Children Both Physically and psychologically

Newsreel Asia Insight #151
March 5, 2024

India’s battle with child malnutrition has reached a critical juncture, positioning the country alongside West African nations notorious for high levels of food deprivation among infants. A recent study, drawing on government data, has placed India’s prevalence of so-called “zero-food” children at an alarming 19.3%. Zero-food children are defined as infants or toddlers aged between six months and 24 months who have not consumed any milk or solid or semi-solid food over a 24-hour period.

An analysis of the Union Health Ministry’s National Family Health Survey for 2019-2021 finds India as having the third-highest rate globally, trailing slightly behind Guinea and Mali, challenging the conventional understanding of food security and child nutrition, especially in a country poised as an emerging global power.

Population health researcher S.V. Subramanian from Harvard University and his colleagues conducted the study, which has been published in JAMA Network Open, a peer-reviewed journal, according to The Telegraph. The study, which compared estimates across 92 low-income and middle-income countries, found that South Asia harbours the highest counts of zero-food children, with India accounting for over 6.7 million of the estimated 8 million in the region.

The implications of these findings are profound. The prevalence of zero-food children in India, comparable to nations like Guinea, Benin, Liberia and Mali, signals a deep-seated structural problem that transcends mere food availability.

Families in economically disadvantaged circumstances often struggle to provide sufficient and nutritious food to their children. Parents, especially mothers, may need to work long hours, leaving them with limited time and energy for child care, including feeding.

The study suggests that the absence of adequate maternal support services, such as maternity entitlements and childcare facilities, worsens the problem. Many women may not have access to these services, making it difficult for them to ensure proper feeding practices.

Further, limited access to healthcare services can prevent families from receiving crucial guidance on child nutrition and early intervention when malnutrition is detected. It also indicates significant disparities in wealth and access to resources.

What happens when a child is not fed for 24 hours?

The body uses stored glucose (glycogen) for energy. Within a few hours of not eating, glycogen stores deplete, forcing the body to start breaking down fat for energy. This process can lead to ketosis, a state where the body produces ketones as an alternative energy source. It can impair growth and development in toddlers. Prolonged ketosis in toddlers could potentially impact cognitive functions and developmental milestones due to the lack of necessary energy sources for the brain.

Young children, including toddlers, are at a higher risk of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) when their food intake is inadequate. Since glucose is a primary energy source for the brain, hypoglycaemia can be particularly dangerous in children and lead to seizures, unconsciousness, or even brain damage in severe cases. Further, ketosis can lead to increased urination, which can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. In toddlers, who are more susceptible to dehydration, this can quickly become a serious issue, potentially leading to hospitalisation if not addressed promptly.

A 24-hour period without food can also exacerbate existing nutritional deficiencies, particularly in children who are already malnourished. Essential vitamins and minerals are crucial for growth, immune function and overall health. Lack of intake can weaken the immune system and delay development.

Furthermore, hunger can cause significant stress and anxiety in children. They may become irritable, restless or exhibit behavioural changes due to discomfort or the psychological impact of not understanding why they are hungry.

The experience of hunger can also lead to feelings of sadness, depression or emotional distress in children. The lack of food security can create a sense of instability or fear. Additionally, hunger can lead to social withdrawal or aggressive behaviour as children struggle to deal with their discomfort and emotional responses to hunger. In the long term, this can impact social development and learning.

The situation raises questions about policy effectiveness, the allocation of resources and the implementation of programs aimed at combating malnutrition. Policies must go beyond merely ensuring food availability; they must also guarantee food accessibility and adequacy for the most vulnerable populations. The study’s findings also point to the need for further research to unravel the underlying causes of zero-food prevalence and the barriers to optimal child-feeding practices.