New Delhi: Reinforcing its commitment to combating childhood malnutrition, Amway India, one of the leading companies supporting health and wellbeing needs, on World Health Day (WHD), released the impact report of its nutrition programme, ‘Power of 5’. Aligned with the theme of WHD, ‘Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,’ the programme aimed to build strong and healthy communities, with a focus on children, by imparting essential knowledge on nutrition and wellbeing and nutrition intervention. The impact report highlighted significant progress in Mumbai and Kolkata, benefiting close to 1,75,000 individuals, including mothers, caregivers, and 18000+ children. Notably, as part of a structured nutrition and education intervention, 40 per cent of children with iron deficiency have shifted to the normal category, indicating substantial improvement++
Rajneesh Chopra, Managing Director, Amway India, remarked, “At Amway India, we firmly believe that good nutrition is fundamental to building a healthier and brighter future. Aligned with our core vision of helping people live better lives, the Power of 5 programme embodies our mission to drive meaningful change. Since its launch, this initiative has successfully reached and benefited over 730,000 individuals. Our programme aligns with the Government’s Swasth Bharat vision and complements its health initiatives, such as Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan Abhiyan 2.0, bolstering support for millions of children, mothers, and adolescent girls. Inspired by this shared vision, we remain committed to expanding our reach, empowering communities with the right knowledge and resources, and contributing to a malnutrition-free India.”
Chandrashekhar Pandey, Programme Director, ChildFund India, said, “Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are often referred to as ‘hidden hunger’ and may impact a child’s growth and development. Addressing these deficiencies is critical to ensuring children grow up healthy, strong, and with the opportunity to reach their full potential. Amway’s Power of 5 programme is helping us make significant strides in combating malnutrition and creating healthier futures for children.”
According to the 2024 Global Hunger Index, India continues to grapple with one of the highest child malnutrition rates, with 18.7 per cent of children experiencing wasting and 35.5 per cent suffering from stunted growth, leading to long-term health complications. To tackle these issues, Amway initiated the Power of 5 programme, which aims to empower mothers and caregivers through targeted nutrition education while providing children with Nutrilite
Little Bits, a specialised micronutrient supplement.
During this phase of the project, Nutrilite Little Bits was distributed as part of a community nutrition programme to 8,500 children aged 3 to 6 in Mumbai and Kolkata, which contains micronutrients to support the nutritional gaps in their daily diet. This led to effectively addressing micronutrient deficiencies, including iron deficiency and anaemia.
A baseline and endline study involving 3,000 children showed measurable health improvements, including a 40 per cent increase in children with normal haemoglobin levels and significant reductions in underweight children —39 per cent in Mumbai and 22 per cent in Kolkata. By addressing critical nutritional gaps in underserved communities, Amway India continues to drive meaningful change, fostering healthier futures for children across the country.
Key Highlights Power of 5 Programme |
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End-line survey++ results based on intervention with Nutrilite Little Bits to 3,000 malnourished children, along with nutrition education to their mothers and caregivers in Mumbai and Kolkata. |
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Children with iron deficiency shifted to the normal category |
40 per cent |
Overall per cent shift of malnourished Underweight children to the normal category |
39 per cent in Mumbai 22 per cent in Kolkata |
Overall decrease in Average Hazard Ranking Score^^ of malnourished children (^^Total Hazard Ranking Score is calculated as the average score of Underweight, Stunting and Wastage) |
From 3.79 to 1.89 (50 per cent decrease) in Mumbai From 3.75 to 3.17 (15 per cent decrease) in Kolkata |
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Three meals a day intake improved from: Mumbai: From 57 per cent to 68 per cent Improvement in Handwashing Practice (before and after eating meals) improved from: Mumbai: from 38 per cent to 99 per cent Improvement in Handwashing Practice (After Defaecation), improved from: Mumbai: From 59 per cent to 98 per cent |
++ Endline study by partner NGO, ChildFund India, measured Power of 5 programme impact, including improvement with Nutrilite Little Bits. Results observed under controlled community intervention studies. Nutrilite Little Bits is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The Power of 5 programme, with its holistic approach combining nutrition education, targeted supplementation, and behavioural change reinforcement, has significantly improved childhood nutrition and fostered healthier habits among underserved communities. By addressing both immediate nutritional needs and long-term behavioural changes such as better dietary choices, regular meal consumption, and enhanced hygiene practices, the initiative is creating a sustainable model for community health improvement. Amway India remains committed to building a healthier nation. Encouraged by the success of the Power of 5 programme, the Company plans to expand its reach, driving lasting impact in its fight against childhood malnutrition.