Abstract

Around 144 million children worldwide still suffer from stunting, even though the incidence of the condition has been steadily declining for the past 30 years. More than any other factor, stunting has negative long-term effects on a child's physical and cognitive development. In the Global Hunger Index 2022, India ranked 107 out of 121 countries, with the highest child-stunting rate in the world at 35.5%. Indian, however, noted improvement in two parameters of child stunti from 38.7% in 2012-16 to 35.5% in 2017-21. Telangana, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, and West Bengal all have high rates of child stunting. There has been progressing, but persistent inequality still exists. Infant and child care practices, hygiene, and inadequate food security in the poorest households are among the immediate and underlying factors that contribute to stunting. This article deliberates on challenges and prevention statistics for stunting. The results of the study show that even after the efforts being made by the government, the old challenges have remained.

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