Amway Starts 'Power of 5' Campaign to Address Childhood Malnutrition in India

To address the mounting problem of malnutrition among children in India, Amway starts a campaign to educate caregivers and mothers on the importance of nutrition during the most crucial first five years in kids.

Amway joined hands with MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child to educate caregivers and mothers on the importance of nutrition during the most crucial first five years in kids.

Rising problem of malnutrition among children in India

Kwashiorkor | Protein Malnutrition - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, Complications and Prevention
Kwashiorkor is caused by severe protein malnutrition and is characterized by collection of fluid (edema) in the legs and belly. Kwashiorkor can be prevented by consuming a nutritious diet.

‘Amway India aims to educate moms to positively impact around 10,000 kids below five years during the campaign's pilot year.’

In line with a community-based campaign targeted at mothers and caregivers of children under the age of 5 years. The campaign aims to improve the nutritional knowledge and practices inclusive of complementary feeding, hygiene practices, growth monitoring, and dietary diversity.

The campaign further aims to identify and manage the malnourished children, and those with infections, by developing synergies among the service providers of associated departments (Integrated Child Development Scheme, Health and Sanitation) for improved services and timely referrals.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), roughly 7 million Children under the age of 5 die each year from preventable causes across the globe. Malnutrition is the underlying cause of 45% of these deaths according to the WHO. In India, malnutrition among children is a major to a recent report by the World Bank, approximately 8 million Indian children suffer from Severe Acute Malnutrition (very low weight to height ratio).

Malnutrition - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Malnutrition refers to imbalances in a person’s intake of energy or nutrients and can occur due to an excess consumption of nutrients or a lack of nutrients.

According to the National Health Family Survey, 36% of children in India below the age of 5 years are under-weight. The report further states that 38% are stunted, 21% are wasted, 7.5% are severely wasted, and 58% are anemic.

Speaking about the launch of this program, Mr. Anshu Budhraja, CEO, Amway experience in nutrition and wellness to contribute to the Government of the country. From our experience, we understand that the foundation for healthy development and overall well-being starts with optimal nutrition in the first five years of life.

Marasmus | Protein-Energy Malnutrition - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
Marasmus is a severe potentially life-threatening form of malnutrition caused by a diet deficient in calories and proteins. There is significant wasting of fats, muscles, and tissues of the body leading to a "skin and bones" appearance.

With the launch of the Power of 5 campaign, we aim to raise awareness on the issue of childhood malnutrition and bring in the much-needed behavioral shift in mothers and communities at large. This program has been very successful globally benefitting over lakh children across more than 23 countries every year. We are pleased to launch this initiative in India and hope to make a positive impact.

The campaign aims to mobilize communities to encourage participation and to empower individuals by raising awareness of the services and entitlements among beneficiaries. Additionally, ASHA workers, ANM & Anganwadi workers will be sensitized to drive the behavior change among the parents and communities to establish synergies for timely inclusive service deliveries to the identified target beneficiaries. With MAMTA Health Institute for Mother and Child as its implementing partner, Amway will reach out to and benefit around 10,000 children directly through mothers and 30,000 individuals indirectly (parents and caregivers).

Malnutrition to Obesity - The Big Leap
Obesity is the root cause of problems like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis and gall bladder disease. A serious look at our strategies is needed to tackle this fast growing epidemic.

Commenting on the partnership with Amway, Dr. Sunil Mehra, Executive many underprivileged children residing in this area who face health problems that can otherwise be simply tackled by slight changes in their nutritional intake. The Power Of 5 campaign will have a monumental impact on the lives of these children as it seeks to bring about a fundamental change in their daily diet. We are optimistic about the final results.

Source-Medindia