More helping hands needed on nutrition for children

Reports abound about children under intense stress because of indecision about examinations.

More helping hands needed on nutrition for children

This picture has been used for representational purpose

A report in this paper concentrated on how non-profits are looking to alleviate problems of one of the most vulnerable groups, children. They have been hit hard during this outbreak. The larger focus has been on academics and the added mental stress that children have had to take because of online learning. Reports abound about children under intense stress because of indecision about examinations.

There has been news about children struggling with fewer avenues to go outside and play, stress about the third wave where some experts claim children will get the virus in larger numbers and the general anxiety about what to do to fill in the time that they have, with parents concerned about too much screen time. This though applies to the children from comfortable families or the privileged.

We also have children from underprivileged backgrounds, and this is where non-profits are making a tremendous difference. They are zeroing in on the most basic aspect, nutrition, for children. Kids need good nutrition and families that are struggling to get one meal, or hoard up on food grains, need help to feed their children.

The accent should be on healthy food for children. One organisation is on the right path, teaching parents that even with little resources it is wiser to buy a little fruit than chocolate and crisps for your children. A number of organisations had mushroomed through an outreach that tried to give at least some food for adults outside the home or who were on some work, outside.

Children inside homes need healthy food even within limits to build immunity. They need extra attention simply because these are growing years. With informal workers out of jobs and closure of institutions, nutritional programmes for kids have taken a huge hit. We need people to step in to fill that void.

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