Global success case analyses have identified factors supporting reductions in stunting across countries; less is known about successes at the subnational levels. We studied four states in India, assessing contributors to reductions in stunting between 2006 and 2016. Using public datasets, literature review, policy analyses and stakeholder interviews, we interpreted changes in the context of policies, programs and enabling environment. Primary contributors to stunting reduction were improvements in coverage of health and nutrition interventions (ranged between 11 to 23% among different states), household conditions (22–47%), and maternal factors (15–30%). Political and bureaucratic leadership engaged civil society and development partners facilitated change. Policy and program actions to address the multidimensional determinants of stunting reduction occur in sectors addressing poverty, food security, education, health services and nutrition programs. Therefore, for stunting reduction, focus should be on implementing multisectoral actions with equity, quality, and intensity with assured convergence on the same geographies and households.

IFA supplementation with or without vitamin B12 is an effective measure to cure anaemia. Although addition of vitamin B12 had similar impact on improving haemoglobin status as IFA alone, it resulted in better ferritin status. Hence, more multi-centre studies with a longer duration of supplementation or higher dose of vitamin B12 may be undertaken to assess the possible impact of vitamin B12 on improving haemoglobin levels in the population.

Anemia among adolescent girls is one of the major challenges faced by India. The present study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of anemia and status of other hematological parameters among adolescent girls (11 - 18 years) residing in an urban slum of Delhi. A total of 794 adolescent girls were recruited for the study. The prevalence of anemia was estimated using the cyanmethemoglobin method. Serum levels of ferritin, folic acid and vitamin B12 were estimated for anemic subjects. The prevalence of anemia was reported as 58.7 %, with 31.6 %, 25.7 % and 1.4 % of subjects being mild, moderate and severely anemic. Hemoglobin levels of subjects who had attained menarche were found to be significantly lower than those who had not attained menarche. The prevalence of serum ferritin, folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency among those who were anemic was reported as 41.1 %, 5.0 % and 63.3 % respectively. A total of 23.5 % anemic subjects had concomitant micronutrient deficiencies of serum vitamin B12 and ferritin. The results indicate that supplemental iron and vitamin B12 may better address the burden of anemia in adolescent girls in Delhi.

This analysis on key nutrition indicators from successive rounds of the NFHS (4 and 5) is based on all-India and State/UT level factsheet released by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). The analysis includes: 1. National level trends from NFHS-3 (2005-06), NFHS-4 (2015-16) and NFHS-5 (2019-21) data for 44 indicators including outcomes, service delivery and key determinants of nutrition. 2. State level trends of same indicators- number of states showing improvement / worsening (± 0.1 percent point change), /no change for these indicators, spatial maps based on change in prevalence for these indicators; and charting State performance with respect to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2030) targets. This presentation will be useful for policy makers, State administrators, public health experts, research scholars and research institutes in the area of maternal and child health & Nutrition.