New survey findings reveal rising rates of wasting and underweight among children under five in Odisha, highlighting urgent need for targeted health interventions amid mixed progress on stunting reduction.
Odisha’s child nutrition picture has taken a worrying turn, with fresh survey findings showing that more children under the age of five are now wasted and underweight even as stunting has eased. The comparison of National Family Health Survey results suggests that acute undernutrition is becoming more common in the state, particularly in several tribal and southern districts that are already among the poorest on health indicators.
According to the figures, the share of under-five children classified as wasted rose from 18.1% in the earlier survey to 22.1% in the latest round, leaving Odisha above the national average of 19%. More than two-thirds of the state’s districts saw a deterioration, with Malkangiri recording the sharpest jump. Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar also reported especially high levels, pointing to a pattern of severe nutritional stress across multiple regions.
The underweight rate also worsened, climbing from 29.7% to 31.6% statewide. Baleshwar showed the steepest increase, while Rayagada, Malkangiri, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj and Koraput remained among the worst affected districts. By contrast, severe wasting improved only marginally, underscoring that the overall trend remains fragile and that many children still face an immediate risk of illness and death without early treatment.
There was one clear piece of better news: stunting, which reflects long-term growth failure, fell from 31% to 26.8%, with most districts improving. Even so, the latest data, alongside the National Health Mission’s earlier indicators on anaemia and the decline in some vaccination and vitamin A coverage, suggest that Odisha’s nutrition challenge is broader than one survey measure alone. Public health experts would likely view the results as a sign that the state needs tighter district-level action, with a focus on food security, maternal nutrition, early detection and treatment of acute malnutrition, and stronger routine child health services.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
