Gujarat battles rising malnutrition as 2.57 lakh children suffer

More than 2.57 lakh children in Gujarat are currently suffering from malnutrition, according to the latest state data. The figures reveal a worrying trend, with some districts reporting sharp increases in cases over the past year. Government efforts to tackle the issue have intensified in the worst-hit areas.

Panchmahal leads the state with the highest number of malnourished children at 20,762, followed by Banaskantha with 19,391 cases. Kheda ranks third, recording 18,590 children affected by malnutrition. Among these, Kheda has also seen the largest rise in cases, with 689 additional children identified as malnourished since the last assessment.

Statewide, 2,11,635 children are underweight, while 45,634 suffer from severe underweight conditions. Chhota Udepur has the highest concentration of severely underweight children, with 4,048 cases. Urban districts like Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Anand, and Mehsana also report significant numbers, alongside other badly affected areas such as Vadodara, Bhavnagar, Kutch, and Bharuch.

Since the 2023 data release, the Gujarat government has rolled out targeted interventions in high-burden districts like Dahod, Narmada, and Chhota Udaipur. Measures include expanding the Poshan Tracker, a real-time nutrition monitoring system now covering 1.2 million children. In 2024, the state launched the Sampoorna Poshan Abhiyan, providing fortified meals and micronutrient supplements to over 500,000 children. Additionally, 1,500 new Anganwadi centres have been set up with trained staff, and partnerships with NGOs have introduced community-based programs such as growth monitoring and maternal education. Early reports from 2025 indicate an 8% reduction in stunting rates due to these efforts.

The latest figures highlight persistent malnutrition challenges across Gujarat, despite ongoing government action. With over 2.57 lakh children affected, the state continues to scale up nutrition programs and monitoring systems. Officials will track progress closely as interventions expand in the coming years.