NUTRITIONAL DISORDERS IN CHILDREN: AYURVEDIC PEDIATRIC MALNUTRITION MODEL (APeMM) – A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW

Childhood malnutrition remains a significant public health challenge in India, where prevalence figures range from 17–35% depending on nutritional indicator (NFHS-5, 2019-2021). Ayurveda conceptualizes nutritional disorders through Apatarpana (undernutrition) and Santarpana (overnutrition) frameworks, centered on Agni (digestive function), Ojas (vital reserves), and Dhatu (tissue) physiology. This narrative review proposes the Ayurvedic Pediatric Malnutrition Model (APeMM) a 2-axis theoretical framework mapping classical Ayurvedic entities (Karshya, Balshosha, Phakka, Parigarbhika) to modern protein-energy malnutrition grades. All models presented are conceptual and unvalidated. Conceptual contributions include: (1) PANAS-5—a proposed prakriti-based algorithm for nutritional intervention; (2) BAALA-Screen a proposed 10-item screening checklist; (3) AyurPOSHAN Kit a proposed implementation framework. Advanced concepts include mechanistic alignments with dysbiosis, maternal-infant dyad strategies, and regional dietary adaptations. This review bridges Ayurvedic and contemporary nutrition frameworks theoretically, without empirical validation, and emphasizes the need for rigorous research before clinical application.