(https://i.ibb.co/pjpPQzx6/b7b0ojxcyaug1.jpg)
That China graph makes us look bad.
People in the comments act like this is just about a height obsession, but the OP is pointing out how a country's eating habits shape its overall lifestyle and physique, and how other nations have made the needed changes while we still hesitate.
It's really about the lack of protein in growing children.
China saw improvement after the 1978 reforms, while we stayed the same even after 1990.
Both countries were at the same level before, by the way.
What's the source of this data?
"Anti‑meat" is just a tiny minority making a lot of noise.
The real issue is that meat is expensive for the average Indian. That's why many households have the unofficial rule of "meat only on Sundays," though this is slowly fading. As incomes rise, people will treat meat like any other vegetable.
Also, a typical vegetarian household gets similar protein to a typical meat‑eater in India because they consume plenty of dairy daily.
On the other hand, non‑veg folks don't eat meat often—mainly because of the cost, as mentioned.
The real problem isn't anti‑meat; it's a lack of nutritional awareness and physical activity.
Only about 30% of the population is vegetarian, and those who eat meat do so sparingly.
Being weak and stunted has become a cultural norm in our society, almost as ingrained as the old practice of sati.
According to NFHS data, 40% of children under five are malnourished in India. The government launched the Poshan Abhiyaan in 2018 to address this.
I've also noticed that many Indians develop hyperpigmentation due to dietary issues. Compare Indians living here with those living abroad.