Public Health Nutrition

Levels of Health Care in India

• Primary Health Care:
  This is the first point of contact between individuals, families, and communities with the health system. The services are offered in villages through subcenters, Primary Health Centres, and dispensaries.
• Secondary Health Care:
  More complex health issues are tackled at the secondary level, where they can get referrals to district hospitals and community health centers. The community health centers function as the first referral level.
• Tertiary Health Care:
  This is the most specialized form of health care and it involves medical college hospitals, regional hospitals, and institutions like AIIMS, which tackle very complex conditions.

Coexistence of Undernutrition and Overnutrition in India

• Coexistence of Undernutrition and Overnutrition:
  India is facing a situation where both undernutrition (including deficiencies in essential nutrients) and overnutrition (which includes obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases) exist in large numbers. This is referred to as a double burden of malnutrition.
• Undernutrition:
  Undernutrition in India is caused by multiple factors like inadequate or faulty diets, disease, poverty, poor maternal health, and poor sanitary practices. These factors contribute to children being underweight or stunted, and they also impact their immunity and development.
• Overnutrition:
  Overnutrition and obesity are caused due to changing lifestyles, dependence on faster means of transportation, decreased outdoor activities, and dietary changes due to processed foods.

Factors Affecting Diabetes

1. Taking Diet Prescribed by Medical Nutrition Therapist:
   Following a diet prescribed by a medical nutrition therapist is a part of management or treatment of diabetes, not a cause of diabetes.
2. Less Physical Activity:
   Lack of physical activity or sedentary lifestyles is considered an important risk factor for the development of diabetes.
3. Increase in Sugar and Fat Consumption:
   High intake of sugar and fats is a contributing factor in the development of diabetes.
4. Increase in Fibre Consumption:
   A diet rich in fiber is actually a recommended dietary practice to manage diabetes.

NACO - National AIDS Control Organisation

NACO stands for National AIDS Control Organisation, which is a national body in India that is in charge of the country’s AIDS awareness, prevention, and control programs.

POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission)

Launch:
The POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) was launched in March 2018 in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, as part of the government’s aim to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

Evaluation of Nutritional Programs

Step 1: Evaluate the options and what their purposes are

• National Nutritional Anaemia Prophylaxis Programme:
  It focuses on providing iron and folic acid supplementation, aimed at preventing and reducing anaemia. It improves the nutritional content.
• National Food for Work Programme:
  Focuses on employment opportunities through labor work in exchange for food grains.
• Annapurna Scheme:
  Provides food grains at subsidized rates.
• Mid-day Meal Programme:
  Provides prepared or cooked meals to school-going children to improve their nutritional status, school enrollment, and attendance.

Step 2: Identify the correct choice

Hence, the Mid-day Meal Programme increases the supplement of food for the children.