National Nutrition Month 2020: A healthy diet and adequate amount of nutrition consumption ensure average growth and development for an individual. Proper nutrition helps in maintaining sufficient body weight and reduces the risk of chronic diseases that may lead to impairment of overall health and well-being. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in one of his Mann ki Baat addresses, mentioned that September would be observed as Poshan Maah in India which is also known as nutrition month. In his speech, he said that mental and intellectual development is directly related to the quality of our food intake. Besides that, nutrition and proper nourishment play a crucial role in helping children to attain their full potential. Hence, children and mothers need to receive adequate nutrition. Therefore, national nutrition month is observed every year to spread awareness amongst the citizens about the importance of food for the human body and our overall well-being.
National Nutrition Month Theme: The theme for National Nutrition Month this year is Eat Right Bite by Bite. As a part of this celebration, the public is expected to focus on developing sound eating and physical habits and the importance of making informed food choices. The focus of the message this year is that quality nutrition is not restrictive, but small dietary changes can have a cumulative effect on our health over time.
Consumption of adequate nutrition is essential for us for various reasons, such as:
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- Helps in safeguarding the immune system
- It provides energy
- It delays the effect of ageing
- It reduces the risk of chronic diseases
- A healthy diet increases focus
- Improves resistance to infections
- Maintains good microbial flora (beneficial bacteria in the intestine)
- Maintains appropriate alkalinity and thereby reduces inflammation and decreases chances of kidney stone formation
- Prevents insulin resistance and maintains appropriate insulin sensitivity and glycaemic index
- Ensures adequate intake of fibre and therefore prevents constipation
- Prevents diabetes mellitus, Cardiovascular Diseases such as heart attacks, stroke and many other diseases
It is interesting to note that the human body requires seven major types of nutrients. All nutrients don't need to provide energy, but they are all needed for our body. Micronutrients are essential for our body, although they are required in smaller amounts. Micronutrients, vitamins and minerals are some of the critical components in a human diet.
Also Read: Taking Vitamin D Daily May Keep Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Away: Study
National Nutrition Week
The National Nutrition Week was initiated in the year 1973 by the members of the American Dietetic Association to deliver messages concerning nutrition to educate the public on its importance. It was created to spread awareness and encourage people to adopt a healthy lifestyle by talking about the importance of nutrition. Another reason for the celebration of this is that in a developing country like India, malnutrition is a significant hurdle which needs to be curbed.
Conclusion
For the National Nutrition Month Prime Minister Modi has urged schools to use nutrition report cards for children to track their nutrition intake and ensure that there is awareness about nutritional needs, deficiencies and malnutrition. There has also been an initiative of creating an agricultural fund that spreads awareness about crops grown and their nutritional value. People often do not give importance to their nutrition intake amid their fast-paced lives, and the celebration of National Nutrition Month has the potential to change that for the better.
(The article has been medically reviewed by Dr Namita Nadar, Head Nutritionist, Fortis Hospital Noida)
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