1 day Ago
Listen to Story In India, millions of children face a silent yet deadly threat every day: contaminated water and poor nutrition. While healthcare advancements have made progress in treating infectious diseases, the root causes - unsafe water, lack of sanitation, and inadequate diets — continue to compromise children's health. The problem isn't just about access to food or medicine but a cycle of malnutrition and repeated infections that trap children in poor health, stunted growth, and vulnerability to diseases.
DIRTY WATER, POOR DIET, AND INFECTIONS Studies have shown a critical connection between contaminated water, poor sanitation, and childhood malnutrition. A study published in The Lancet Global Health reported that environmental enteropathy — an intestinal condition caused by prolonged exposure to unsanitary conditions — affects a large proportion of children in developing countries, including India. This condition damages the gut lining, impairing the absorption of essential nutrients and increasing susceptibility to bacterial and parasitic infections.
Studies have shown a critical connection between contaminated water, poor sanitation, and childhood malnutrition. (Photo: Getty Images) Infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist Dr Judd Walson spoke to India Today about the deep-rooted connection between health systems and environmental factors that lead to an increase in infectious diseases and malnutrition among children. "Poor sanitation and contaminated water create a perfect storm for infections in children," he explained.
Repeated infections, especially diarrhoea and respiratory illnesses , drain a child's nutritional reserves, leading to a cycle of malnutrition and further illness. According to UNICEF's 2021 report, nearly 35% of Indian children under five are stunted, and 19% are wasted. These figures highlight not just a health crisis but a long-term developmental challenge for the nation.
MALNUTRITION AND INFECTION SUSCEPTIBILITY Malnutrition and infections are deeply intertwined, with one often affecting the other. Malnourished children have weaker immune systems, making them more prone to infections such as diarrhoea, pneumonia, and tuberculosis. In rural India, limited access to clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation facilities further amplify these risks.
"Malnutrition isn't just about insufficient food intake. It's also about exposure to contaminated environments and the body's inability to absorb nutrients effectively. Addressing these root causes is key to breaking this vicious cycle," said Dr Walson, who is currently the Chair of the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that around 88% of diarrhoea-related deaths globally are caused by unsafe water, inadequate sanitation, and poor hygiene. In India, this remains one of the leading causes of child mortality , particularly in underserved regions where healthcare access is limited. Malnutrition isn't just about insufficient food intake.
It's also about exposure to contaminated environments. (Photo: AFP) Dr Walson said that there's growing evidence that malnutrition is increasingly linked to an imbalance in gut bacteria, known as a disrupted microbiome. This imbalance can have lasting effects on growth, hormone regulation, and brain development.
"This disruption weakens the body’s ability to regulate essential processes and increases susceptibility to developmental issues," he said. Children who suffer from malnutrition in their early years are at a higher risk of developing obesity and metabolic conditions like diabetes later in life. This happens because the body adapts to limited resources during childhood, making it more prone to overnutrition when food becomes more readily available.
Studies have shown that children who suffer from chronic malnutrition are at higher risk of developing metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular issues, later in life. A 2023 study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found that stunted children are more likely to experience academic challenges and lower earning potential as adults. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and poor health across generations.
IMPACT OF POOR GROUNDWATER QUALITY ON CHILD HEALTH A 2024 study published in Science of The Total Environment revealed several variations in groundwater quality across India, with about 26.5% of areas having water unfit for consumption. Factors such as high temperatures, low rainfall, and dry soil conditions worsen water quality.
Studies have shown that children who suffer from chronic malnutrition are at higher risk of developing metabolic disease. (Photo: AFP) Poor groundwater quality is linked to malnutrition, increasing the chances of stunting, being underweight, and wasting in children by 35%, 38%, and 11% respectively. Wasting is a type of malnutrition when a child is too thin for their height.
This could happen either because of very quick weight loss or the inability to gain weight easily. High levels of chemicals like magnesium, sulphates, nitrates, arsenic, and total dissolved solids in water are major contributors to these issues. PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS Improving children’s health in India needs clean water, proper sanitation, and better nutrition programs like Poshan Abhiyaan.
Early healthcare access is crucial to prevent complications. Educating families about hygiene, safe water, and nutrition can create lasting change and reduce diseases among children. Dr Walson highlighted the importance of innovative solutions: "At Johns Hopkins, we're exploring targeted probiotic interventions to improve gut health and resilience against infections.
These solutions, combined with traditional healthcare measures, offer hope for breaking the cycle of malnutrition and disease." He concluded: "India has the resources and the knowledge to address this crisis. What's needed is sustained commitment, innovative solutions, and a collaborative approach to truly make a difference.
" For India to secure a healthier future for its children, it must prioritise breaking the cycle of malnutrition and infections..
