Odisha reports rise in wasting, underweight among under-five children

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 12 -- Odisha has recorded a disturbing rise in wasting and underweight among children below five years, despite an overall improvement in stunting, according to the NFHS-5 and NFHS-6 comparison.

The proportion of under-five children suffering from wasting rose from 18.1 per cent in NFHS-5 to 22.1 per cent in NFHS-6, a four percentage-point increase, with 22 of the 30 districts reporting a deterioration.

Malkangiri saw the sharpest rise, from 19.3 per cent to 30.7 per cent. Wasting levels were particularly high in Mayurbhanj (33 per cent), Kendujhar (31.6 per cent) and Malkangiri (30.7 per cent).

The underweight indicator also worsened, rising from 29.7 per cent to 31.6 per cent statewide. Seventeen districts recorded a...