Poshan Pakhwada 2025: Nutrition for a Stronger Future

Event Overview: The 7th Poshan Pakhwada, held from April 8 to 23, 2025, is an annual drive under Poshan Abhiyaan to boost nutrition for women and children.
First 1,000 Days: Emphasizes the critical 1,000-day window from conception to a child’s second birthday, shaping long-term health and development.
Technology Integration: Poshan Tracker app enables real-time monitoring of nutrition services at Anganwadi Centers, with self-registration for beneficiaries.
CMAM Protocol: Launched in 2023, the Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) protocol aids early detection and treatment of malnutrition at grassroots levels.
Women’s Health: Promotes antenatal care, balanced diets, and regular checkups to improve maternal nutrition and reduce malnutrition risks.
Childhood Obesity: Addresses rising obesity (3.4% of under-5 children per NFHS-5) by curbing high-fat, high-sugar foods and promoting healthy snacks in schools.
Community Engagement: Activities encourage families to adopt healthier habits, drink 8 glasses of water daily, and register on the Poshan Tracker.
School Guidelines: Bans HFSS foods in school canteens, restricts their sale near schools, and mandates physical activity to combat obesity.
Anganwadi Role: Transforms Anganwadi Centers into nutrition clinics, using CMAM for timely interventions and data-driven policy inputs.
National Goal: Aims to build a healthier India by blending tradition and technology, targeting malnutrition and obesity for sustainable development.

Glossary

Poshan Abhiyaan: A national mission launched in 2018 to improve nutritional outcomes for children and women.
Anganwadi: Rural childcare centers providing nutrition and health services.
Malnutrition: A condition from inadequate or excess nutrition, including undernutrition and obesity.
HFSS Foods: High-fat, high-sugar, high-salt foods linked to health issues like obesity.
NFHS-5: National Family Health Survey (2019-21), a key source of health data in India.