SRINAGAR (Kashmir English): New data from India’s National Family Health Survey has revealed that over 72.7 percent of children under the age of five in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are affected by anemia, highlighting a critical public health crisis in the territory.
The survey shows that 26.9 percent of children under five are stunted, while 19 percent are underweight, indicating severe nutritional deficiencies.
Additionally, 9.6% of children are overweight, reflecting a complex nutritional landscape that combines undernutrition and rising obesity in young children.
The survey also mentions that a small section of the population in Kashmir suffers from extremely rare blood diseases, which require a lot of resources for survival.
Widespread child malnutrition and anemia across India
The survey also indicated widespread child malnutrition and anemia across India. Indian states with the highest stunting rates include Meghalaya at 46.5%, Bihar at 42.9%, and Jharkhand at 39.6%.
In terms of underweight children, Gujarat has the highest rate at 25.1%, followed by Maharashtra at 25.6%.
The highest rate of anemia among children under five is in occupied Ladakh (93.9%), followed by occupied Jammu and Kashmir (72.7%).
