Malnutrition in Children of the Backward States of India and the ICDS Programme

This paper aims to explore the extent of under-nourishment among children and to look into the functioning of ICDS in ameliorating malnutrition and educating mothers on health and nutrition issues in areas dominated by scheduled castes/ scheduled tribes. The paper is the outcome of a study carried out in three backward states: Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Orissa. In each of the states, three districts backward in terms of education, healthcare and economic development, were selected. These identified districts were Rampur, Ambedkar Nagar and Badaun in UP; Dungarpur, Banswara and Jhalawar in Rajasthan; and Sundargarh, Gajapati and Rayagada in Orissa.