The Healthy Diet »

India has young population of more than 40% being under the age of 15 years. Infants and children under 5 years constitute as much as 1/7 of total population. Children under 5 years i.e. preschool children are undergoing rapid growth and most vulnerable and this is the age group which is most affected by infection and nutrition problems. The specific mortality rate of children between 1-5 years in India in the year 1965 was as high as 15 per 1000 as against below 2 per 1000 in affluent countries. Both mortality and birth rate are high. Infant mortality is around 100 per 1000 live births and it is much higher in rural than in urban areas. 40% of all the deaths occur under the age of 5 years. Repeated illness coupled with malnutrition result in stunting and there are chances that these children may not be able to achieve their full intellectual potential.

In India about 80% of population is residing in rural area-s—About-half of the population is living below poverty line. These people hardly get anything to eat. They eat just to satisfy their hunger and they are hardly bothered about the nutritional needs of their bodies. The most suffering group is of pregnant & lactating mothers. Hence fetus and infants are affected by their mother's health status and nutrition. About 30% of school going children are malnourished and about 1 million of them die due to malnutrition every year.

Although poverty is the main factor affecting their health & nutrition but still there are other factors also which have an influence. Most of the mothers and even at times some health workers have little or no idea of adequate quantity and quality of food, which should be given to the children for proper growth and development. Ignorance is seen about the essentials of child care, including nutritional requirements and the common locally available economical foods, which can supply the necessary nutrients.

Food is the major source of essential nutrients which are required by body for well being. Good food is not only required in infancy and childhood but it is necessary in all stages of life.
The practical purpose of this book is to provide knowledge to all of them, who are concerned with children, their health, their needs and their nourishment economically adequate.