Nearly 4,000 children suffer stunted growth in Uttara Kannada district

Mangaluru, 

Uttara Kannada district is witnessing a sharp rise in cases of child malnutrition and stunted growth, with official figures revealing that thousands of children are facing serious nutritional challenges. According to statistics released by the Department of Women and Child Welfare, the district currently has 3,978 children affected by stunted growth and 814 children suffering from malnutrition. Officials said the situation has become a major concern, especially in rural and tribal regions.

The issue is reported to be more severe in remote villages located in Yellapur, Mundgod, Joida and Sirsi taluks, where healthcare infrastructure and access to nutritional support remain inadequate. This year, around 63,207 children have been enrolled in Anganwadi centres across Uttara Kannada district. Of them, 1,225 children were identified as stunted, including 631 boys and 594 girls. Authorities also found 60 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

The figures from 2024 also highlighted the scale of the problem. Last year, 87,309 children were enrolled in Anganwadi centres across the district, out of which 2,753 were identified with stunted growth and 754 were classified as malnourished. Official data showed Kumta taluk recorded the highest number of stunted children in 2024 with 602 cases, followed by Ankola and Sirsi. Kumta also reported the highest number of malnourished children.

Health officials believe the district’s difficult geographical conditions contribute significantly to the crisis. Many villages in the hilly and forested regions still lack proper roads, healthcare access and regular medical monitoring. Pregnant women in rural areas are particularly vulnerable due to limited access to nutritious food and healthcare guidance. According to department officials, anaemia among pregnant women in Uttara Kannada is significantly higher than the state average.

In 2024, severe anaemia among pregnant women registered for prenatal care in the district was found to be over four per cent higher than Karnataka’s overall average. Experts say maternal anaemia and poor nutrition during pregnancy directly affect the growth and health of children. The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines state that a healthy five-year-old boy should ideally have a height of 110 cm and weight of 18.3 kg, while a girl should have a height of 109 cm and weight of 18.2 kg.

Officials clarified that small variations based on family genetics are common. However, children with significantly low height and weight for their age are categorized under malnutrition and stunting indicators. Authorities also stressed that children suffering from stunted growth may experience emotional stress due to social stigma or teasing by peers, even if their intelligence and daily activities remain unaffected. The Women and Child Welfare Department said efforts are being made to identify affected children early and provide them with special nutritional supplements and healthcare support.