EFFECT OF POSHAK YOG ON THE NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF AN UNDERWEIGHT SCHOOL-AGED CHILD: A CASE STUDY
Abstract
A healthy childhood leads to healthy adulthood. Childhood malnutrition remains a major public health concern in India and continues to affect physical growth, immunity and academic performance in children. According to NFHS-5, Poshan Tracker, and UN reports, Stunting (low height-for-age) ≈ 34–36%, Underweight (low weight-for-age) ≈ 25–30%, Wasting (low weight-for-height) ≈ 14–18%2. On average in India, one in every three children is shorter than expected for their age. Around one out of four children weigh less than normal for their age. Nearly one out of six children is too thin for their height, which shows the status of undernutrition in India. Despite various nutritional programs, a significant proportion of school-aged children remain undernourished. Ayurveda emphasizes nourishment-promoting therapies for improving growth and strength in children. The present case study evaluates the effect of Poshak Yog, an Ayurvedic nutritional supplement, on the nutritional and functional status of an underweight school-aged male child. A 9-year-old boy with poor appetite, generalized weakness, disturbed sleep and reduced physical activity was assessed. Baseline evaluation revealed severe undernutrition with a BMI of 12.0 kg/m² (< –2 SD as per WHO standards). The child received Poshak Yog along with an age-appropriate balanced diet for a period of 12 weeks. Subjective parameters were assessed using a graded scoring system, and objective parameters such as weight, height, BMI and haemoglobin levels were recorded before and after intervention. Following treatment, the child showed noticeable improvement in appetite, strength, sleep quality, activity level and academic performance. Objective measurements also demonstrated an increase in body weight, BMI and haemoglobin levels. No adverse effects were observed during the intervention period. The findings suggest that Poshak Yog may be useful as a supportive nutritional intervention in underweight children.
KEYWORDS
Childhood malnutrition, Underweight, Poshak Yog, BMI, Nutritional supplementation.
