Malnutrition (Set 1 in English): Tackling Malnutrition Together

Podcast Script: Tackling Malnutrition Together

Host A:  Hello and welcome to today’s episode of “Sangyan Podcast.” I’m your host, Sakshi, and today, we will discuss an issue affecting millions worldwide—malnutrition. Today, a nutrition expert, MS. NIKITA ARYA is joining us. Together, we’ll dive into the types, causes, and innovative solutions to combat malnutrition. Welcome, MS. NIKITA.

Host B: Thanks for having me here, Sakshi. Malnutrition is a complex issue that impacts public health on a global scale. It includes both undernutrition and overnutrition and its effects are felt across communities, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Host A: Exactly, let’s start with the basics. What is malnutrition, and what are the different types of malnutrition?

Host B: According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition refers to imbalances in an individual's energy or nutrient intake. It broadly includes three categories:

1. First is Undernutrition, which includes wasting, stunting, and being underweight;
2. Second is Micronutrient-related malnutrition, it includes either deficiencies or excess of essential vitamins and minerals;
3. Third we have Overnutrition which includes overweight, obesity, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

Host A: That’s quite broad. Can you share with us an overview of malnutrition at global level?

Host B: The numbers are staggering. In 2022, about 390 million adults were underweight, while over 2.5 billion were overweight, including 890 million living with obesity. The issue also affects children: 148.1 million under five years old were stunted, and 45 million suffered from wasting. This is a silent crisis in many low- and middle-income countries, where undernutrition leads to nearly half of all deaths among children under five.

Host A: These numbers are pretty high. So, what are the leading causes of malnutrition?

Host B: Malnutrition stems from multiple factors. At the immediate level, it is caused by inadequate dietary intake or diseases. However, major factors include poverty, lack of education, gender inequality, and poor access to clean water and healthcare. It is a combination of poor dietary habits and socioeconomic challenges.

Host A: It sounds like a complex web of problems. What signs should people look for if they suspect someone is malnourished?

Host B: So Common signs include unintentional weight loss, a lack of energy, and a poor appetite. In children, you can see stunted growth or visible wasting are key indicators. Healthcare professionals often use measurements like weight-for-age (WFA), height-for-age (HFA), and weight-for-height (WFH) to assess malnutrition in young children. Early detection is crucial, and tools like the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) or the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) are used in clinical settings.

Host A: Okay, Now that we know how to identify malnutrition, let’s talk about prevention. What practical steps can communities take to improve diets for both adults and children?

Host B: Absolutely! Let’s start with the basics. Whether it’s adults or children, the foundation of a healthy diet begins with staple foods. For both groups, it is important to include whole grains like millets like ragi, jowar, bajra, pulses like Red gram dal, lentil, green gram dal, whole wheat, rice, quinoa and many more. These provide fiber, sustained energy, and essential nutrients.

Host A: That makes sense—whole grains are more nutrient-dense. What about vegetables? How can we ensure people get the most out of them.

Host B: Vegetables are crucial for both adults and children. Leafy greens like spinach, amaranth, beet greens, kale, and fenugreek are excellent sources of iron and calcium, especially for growing children and adults looking to maintain strong bones. Additionally, colorful vegetables like carrots and pumpkin are rich in vitamin A, which supports eye health and immunity.

Host A: Yes, colorful vegetables are packed with nutrients! What about fruits? How can they help improve nutrition?

Host B: Absolutely! Fruits like bananas, oranges, apples, and berries are great sources of vitamins B, Vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber, which are important for boosting the immune system, supporting energy metabolism, enhancing iron absorption that can also prevent anemia, and supporting overall well-being. For children, fruits are a great alternative with natural sweetness.

Host A: That’s a great alternative.  Now, what role do nuts and seeds play in a balanced diet?

Host B: Nuts and seeds are excellent sources of healthy fats, fiber, and protein. For example, almonds, peanuts, and chia seeds provide omega-3 fatty acids and are particularly important for brain health in children. They’re also excellent snacks for adults, helping curb hunger and providing essential nutrients like protein, vitamin E, folate, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber.

Host A: Those are easy snack options too! And what about dairy? Should milk and its alternatives be a part of the diet?

Host B: Definitely! Milk, yogurt, and fortified plant-based alternatives like almond milk or soy milk are excellent sources of calcium and vitamin D. These are crucial for bone health, particularly for growing children and adults to prevent osteoporosis. One or two servings of dairy or fortified alternatives per day are highly beneficial for health.

Host A: So, dairy is essential for strong bones. What about non-vegetarian sources of protein - should that also be part of the plan?

Host B: Yes, protein is essential for muscle repair and overall growth. For non-vegetarians, eggs and lean meats like chicken and fish are great sources of high-quality protein and essential micronutrients such as B vitamins and iron. For vegetarians, options like lentils, chickpeas, paneer, and tofu offer plenty of protein.

Host A: That covers a lot! To recap, we should focus on whole grains, legumes and pulses, load up on vegetables and fruits, include nuts and seeds for healthy fats, ensure a good source of dairy for calcium, and finish with quality proteins. That sounds like a solid plan for preventing malnutrition for both adults and children.

Host B: Exactly! If communities focus on these basic food groups and ensure variety, we can significantly reduce malnutrition. A balanced, nutrient-rich diet is the key to better health for everyone.

Host A: That’s great advice. But what about communities with limited resources? How can they implement these changes?

Host B: There are a few community-level approaches:

1. The first is Home gardening: Communities can grow their own fruits and vegetables, which can be a way to ensure access to fresh, nutrient-rich food.
2. Nutritional education: Simple workshops or awareness programs on balanced diets can teach families about food diversity and healthy eating habits.
3. Planning meals using locally available, affordable ingredients which can help families meet their nutritional needs.
4. Fourth is The fortification of basic staples like flour or salt with essential nutrients such as iron or iodine, helps combat micronutrient deficiencies.

Host A: Home gardening sounds like a fantastic idea, especially for improving access to fresh vegetables. How can healthcare providers and community leaders encourage better eating habits?

Host B: Healthcare providers play a vital role in educating communities about the importance of a balanced diet. They can offer:

1. Nutritional counseling and teaching families on how to incorporate nutrient-dense foods into their daily diets.
2. They can also offer Regular Growth monitoring of children which can help early detection of malnutrition.
3. Local leaders can work with health professionals to conduct nutrition workshops and cooking demonstrations, which can help people to know about nutritional requirements, and make informed food dietary choices.

Host A: Those are great strategies. It’s been such an informative session today, Ms. Nikita. We’ve covered everything from the causes of malnutrition to practical dietary solutions that can uplift entire communities.

Host B: Thank you so much for having me here, Sakshi. It’s been a pleasure. Just remember, addressing malnutrition starts with awareness and small, meaningful changes at the individual and community level. Together, we can build healthier communities.

Host A: Absolutely. That’s all for today’s episode of “Sangyan.” Thank you all for tuning in. Remember, a healthy diet is the foundation of a healthy life. Take care, and until next time, stay healthy and eat well!