Community Nutrition

COMMUNITY NUTRITION 3 (1+2)

Lesson 8 : Protein Energy Malnutrition

Prevalance of protein energy malnutrition

• PEM is still the most common nutritional disorder among children in developing countries.
• Surveys carried out by NNMB in different states in India showed significant decline in the prevalence of severe (Grade III) malnutrition. A decline from 15% in 1975-79 to 5% in 2006-07, with corresponding increase in proportion of moderate (grade II) malnutrition.
• The prevalence of clinical forms of PEM have been reduced to less than 1%.
• Hospitals admissions due to PEM have come down considerably.