The Neglected Crisis of Undernutrition: Evidence for Action
Every year the deaths of more than three million children under five – equivalent to the total UK population of that age – are attributable to undernutrition and yet the problem is being given low international priority.
This is according to a new report published by DFID which will form the evidence base for our forthcoming Nutrition Strategy.
80 percent of the world’s undernourished children under 5 years of age live in just 20 countries. The strategy, to be published in the coming months, will increase DFID’s focus on tackling undernutrition globally and in countries with high concentrations of undernourished children.
Experts agree that the effects of poor nutrition – especially in pregnant women and children under two – are life-long, intergenerational and irreversible. Poor nutrition causes physical stunting and mental impairment, leading to reduced potential to succeed in education and the workplace.
World Bank experts estimate that better nutrition could save China and India $5bn and $2.5bn respectively, in terms of savings in health care costs, with indirect gains for productivity.
The report makes a distinction between having enough food and having adequate nutrition. Despite having greater wealth and more food, high rates of malnutrition persist in South Asia. The Institute of Development Studies highlights that India accounts for one third of the developing world’s undernourished children.
The forthcoming DFID strategy will look at a range of measures to tackle nutrition directly and, critically, to address the drivers of undernutrition, such as food insecurity, ill health, lack of social protection and gender inequality.
