Four districts of the state, including Karnal, Yamunanagar, Panchcula and Ambala, have an alarming situation on malnutrition. On an average, 37.4 per cent children are underweight, 42.8 per cent children have stunting growth (less height according to age) and 17.5 per cent children are suffering from wasting (less weight according to height) in these districts. This was revealed in a recent study conducted on children under the age of five years by the PGI, Chandigarh. Dr Rakesh Gupta, Mission Director, National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), said 18.6 per cent children of Ambala were suffering from wasting, 45 per cent had stunting growth and 39.1 per cent were underweight. 23.7 per cent children of Karnal were suffering from wasting, 41.8 per cent had stunting growth and 40.3 per cent children were underweight, he added. He said the figure of Panchcula and Yamunanagar were also same. “14.4 per cent children are suffering from wasting, 41.0 per cent have stunting growth and 35.3 per cent are underweight in Panchkula. 14.7 per cent children of Yamunanagar are suffering from wasting, 43.2 per cent have stunting growth and 35.6 per cent children are underweight,” he added. “Children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) have 9 times higher risk of dying than well-nourished children. 53 per cent deaths under the age of five were due to malnutrition in Haryana,” said Dr Gupta. “Prevention and treatment of micronutrient deficiencies is very important,” he said and added that as per the study of the PGI, 95 per cent children were anaemic only in Karnal, which was alarming for the authority and the people. Shocking revelations * On an average, 37.4 per cent children in four districts of Karnal, Yamunanagar, Panchkula and Ambala are underweight * 42.8 per cent children have stunting growth (less height according to age) * 17.5 per cent children are suffering from wasting (less weight according to height)