Malnutrition is most common in the State of Rajasthan. More than half of the children in the age group of 0-5 years are suffering from malnutrition. Malnutrition limits development and the capacity to learn. It also costs lives. About more than 50 percent of all childhood deaths are attributed to malnutrition. Malnutrition in early childhood has serious, long term consequences because it impedes motor, sensory, cognitive, social and emotional development. Malnourished children are les likely to perform well in the school and more likely to grow into malnourished adults, at greater risk of disease and early death. About 1/3rd adult women are underweight. Inadequate care of women and girls, especially during pregnancy, results in low birth babies making them vulnerable to further malnutrition and disease.

CDECS has been associated with Special Plan of Action in two Blocks namely Kishanganj and Shahbad Blocks of Baran district for ‘Reduction in Child Malnutrition in the Children in the age Group of 0-3 years’. The SPOA is mainly associated with strengthening the system at AWC, sub-centre for immunization, facilitation of sector level and Block level monitoring and better management. The Project has been initiated with support from DWCD and UNICEF in December 2004.

The project has been initiated with the goal to reduce mortality caused by malnutrition among 0-3 years of children.