Okhaldhunga, November 2 

Consumption of junk food distributed by various government and non-government organisations as relief materials after the April 25 earthquake has caused malnutrition among the children of Okhaldhunga, according to various health organisations.

Obesity and malnutrition are seen among the children due to the consumption of junk food. Umesh Chandra Ghimire, Coordinator of Global Health Alliance Nepal,an organisation working in the field of nutrition, said malnutrition rate had increased among children after the earthquake due to consumption of the ready-made foods. He, however, said the exact number of affected children was yet to be finalised. According to child diseases experts, obesity and symptoms of anaemia, among other diseases, are seen among the children following the same. “Consumption of readymade foods instead of nutritious foods affects the mental and physical development of children,” they informed. The stakeholders complained that the distribution of junk food and lack of awareness among the local residents had invited such health hazards. Chief Gyan Bahadur Basnet of District Health Office, Okhaldhunga advised the people to prefer pulse, rice, bread and beans, among other nutrition foods, instead of packed foods.