A MONTH FOR HEALTH!!
“Exercise is king. Nutrition is queen. Put them together and you’ve got a kingdom” — Jack LaLanne
Every year, the first week of September is observed as National Nutrition Week. On his monthly ‘Mann ki baat’ radio program; the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, announced that September month will be observed as ‘Nutrition Month’ in India.
September month is observed as ‘POSHAN Maah’ under POSHAN Abhiyaan.
The theme for 2021 National Nutrition Week — “Feeding smart right from the start”
HISTORY
This was first started in 1975, by the members of the American Dietetic Association (ADA) — now called the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. In 1980, in response to the growing public interest in nutrition, the week-long celebration expanded to become a month-long observance.
In India, the National Nutrition Week was launched in 1982, to educate individuals about the importance of nutrition and urged them to maintain a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.
In 2020, while talking about the importance of following a nutritious diet, the Prime Minister of India, announced that September will be observed as “Nutrition Month”
OBJECTIVES
#1. Observed to raise awareness about nutritional and adaptive eating habits.
#2. Acquire the essential nutrients and food for growth and a healthy lifestyle.
#3. To educate, that nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, minerals, vitamins must be an important part of the daily diet.
#4. To fight malnutrition among people, especially women and children.
#5. Focused and assimilated approach towards improving holistic nutrition.
POSHAN MAAH 2021
To ensure community mobilization and bolster people’s participation, every year the month of September is celebrated as Rashtriya Poshan Maah across the country.
This year, as India celebrates the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, POSHAN Maah 2021 is celebrated in a thematic fashion, to ensure speedy and intensive outreach.
The entire month of September 2021 is subdivided into weekly themes.
Theme 1
1–7 September — Plantation Activity as “Poshan Vatika”
Theme 2
8–15 September — Yoga and AYUSH for Nutrition.
Theme 3
16–23 September — Distribution of ‘Regional Nutrition Kit’ to Anganwadi beneficiaries of High Burdened Districts.
Theme 4
24–30 September — Identification of SAM children and distribution of nutritious food.
Today in 2021, India is not just fighting the COVID-19 outbreak but is also battling existing undernutrition.
Boosting the efforts already initiated, to take the agenda of nutrition in a mission mode; Mission Poshan 2.0 brings together the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) — Anganwadi Services, Supplementary Nutrition Programme, Poshan Abhiyaan, Scheme for Adolescent Girls, and National Crèche Scheme.
“We have a maxim — ‘Yatha Annam Tatha Mannam’ which means our mental and intellectual development is directly related to the quality of our food intake. There is a need to increase awareness of Nutrition. The schools must introduce ‘nutrition monitor’ like the class monitor to raise awareness.” — The Prime Minister on Nutrition Month.
In this movement pertaining to nutrition, success is completely dependent on people’s participation.
To encourage public participation, during Nutrition Month, a food and nutrition quiz and several other competitions are organized on the MyGov portal.
One should participate in it, and encourage others to do the same.
References:
1. National Nutrition Week 2021: — https://www.indiatoday.in/information/story/national-nutrition-week-2021-history-theme-significance-and-quotes-1847875-2021-09-01
2. Ministry of Women and Child Development — https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1751995
3. Weekly Themes to Ensure Focused & Assimilated Approach Towards Improving Holistic Nutrition — https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1750104
4. #PoshanMaah2021 — https://www.mygov.in/campaigns/poshanabhiyaan2021/
5. Eat right — https://www.eatright.org/food/resources/national-nutrition-month/about-national-nutrition-month
6. Economic times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/september-to-be-observed-as-nutrition-month-pm-narendra-modi/articleshow/77832125.cms
