Half of Slum Children in New Delhi are Underweight: CRY Study

A survey called 'Are Children Getting A Healthy Start', which was released by NGO Child Rights and You (CRY), revealed that half of the children residing in New Delhi slums are underweight. Only 31% of the children under the age of three in the capital received at least one vaccination, while 45% were stunted. The study also highlighted the issue of gender imbalance as 25% girls received at least one dose of vaccination compared to 39% boys.

The study was conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. It highlighted that 62.2% of the children in slums in Chennai were underweight, while Kolkata and Mumbai slums have 49% and 41% underweight children respectively. In Bengaluru, 33% children were found to be underweight.

49% of Kids Living in Kolkata Slums Are Underweight: CRY
A sample survey conducted by CRY found that 49% of the surveyed children between the age-group of one to six years living in Kolkata slums are underweight.

‘While half of the children residing in New Delhi slums are underweight, only 31% children under the age of three received at least one vaccination, and 45% were stunted. Early childhood is a crucial period when the foundation of cognitive, physical and socio-emotional development, language and personality are laid.’

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CRY's regional director (north) Soha Moitra said, "Early childhood, spanning from birth to the age of six years, is the crucial period when the foundation of cognitive, physical and socio-emotional development, language and personality are laid."

Soha also emphasized on the need for nutrition security like immunization and vitamins supplements for such children.

Source-IANS

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