ICMR links low maternal fat to child stunting in Nalgonda
An ICMR-NIN study in Telangana's Nalgonda (893 mother-child pairs) revealed low maternal body fat directly drives child stunting. Poor pre-pregnancy nutrition, open defecation, smoke-filled homes, and poverty below ₹2,500 per person per month triggers these outcomes. Fixing toilets and kitchens rivals food aid in breaking intergenerational malnutrition cycle.