India, Aug. 18 -- A new study by the Indian Institute of Population Sciences (IIPS), Mumbai, has revealed that Maharashtra continues to perform poorly on child nutrition, with 35% of children under five stunted, 35% underweight, and 26% wasted - rates similar to those in states such as Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

The research, published on August 7, 2025, in the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, draws on data from the National Family Health Survey-5 (NFHS-5) and surveyed 8,007 children aged 6-59 months across the state. The study was supported by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

North Maharashtra emerged as the state's worst-affected region, with 44% of children underweight, a problem researchers link to lo...