The health scenario in our country is rapidly changing, both in terms of the
public health challenges that we face as well as our response to these
challenges. As India becomes more and more developed and we have greater
means at our disposal, our response to our health challenges must reflect our
changing health and socio-economic status. India faces enormous challenges
in the area of women’s and children’s health. These findings point to the
importance of investing in various growth factors and sanitation, and
educating the public about hygiene to promote health knowledge and better
child outcomes. As importantly, such investments have the potential of
making the feeding program more effective. ICDS therefore takes holistic
view of the development of the child and attempts to improve both his/her
prenatal and postnatal environment. Accordingly, besides children in their
formative years (0-6 years), women between 15 to 45 years are also covered
by the programme as these are child bearing years in the life of a women and
her nutrition and health status has a bearing on the development of the child.