Extreme Deprivation, Obesity now the real face of Malnutrition

In Nigeria, children who are not stunted or wasted remain in a minority. Nonetheless, the annual public investment required to totally avert stunting sits at $837million.

Nutrition can be a driver of change or a barrier to progress, and, according to the Global Nutrition Report being released today in New York City, there are actions leaders of every country should be taking to end malnutrition in all its forms.

Among the report’s key findings: One in three members of the global population is malnourished, and the problem exists in every country on the planet — yet, the strategies (or “high-impact interventions”) available to resolve it are not being implemented due to lack of money, skills, or political pressure. 

“When one in three of us is held back, we as families, communities, and nations cannot move forward,” said Lawrence Haddad, lead author of the study and senior research fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

He continued: “This not only jeopardizes the lives of those who are malnourished, but also affects the larger framework for economic growth and sustainable development. Simply put: people cannot get anywhere near their full potential without first overcoming malnutrition.”

Childhood stunting and wasting remain serious problems: More than 160 million children worldwide under five years old are too short for their age (stunted), while more than 50 million don’t weigh enough for their height (wasted).

Although countries are increasingly meeting goals for combating stunting and wasting, adult obesity—another form of malnutrition—is growing. The prevalence of obesity rose in every single country between 2010 and 2014, and one in 12 adults worldwide now has Type 2 diabetes.

Highlighting the need for collective action, Dr Chris Osa Isokpunwu; Head of nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health said: “Malnutrition results in impaired cognitive development in children, which goes on to have a bearing on their entire life chances and opportunities. It takes a village to raise a child, so it is our responsibility as a community and a country to bring an end to malnutrition by supporting adequate and sufficient nutrition. By doing this we secure not just the future of our children, but also that of our country.”

David Olayemi; Head of Advocacy & Campaign, Save the Children added “Every child in Nigeria deserves to grow and develop adequately without the greater risks of illness and premature death that are associated with malnutrition and stunted growth. For this reason it should be our priority as a nation to invest in nutrition. The evidence also shows that improved nutrition enhances GDP growth.”

Climate change is complicating global efforts to end malnutrition. Even small and seasonal fluctuations in climate can have big impacts on food availability and disease patterns, and these in turn dramatically affect children’s survival and development. This means, for example, that babies born in India in November and December are taller on average at 3 years of age than those born in April through September. In a world where many are not eating enough and others are eating too much, food systems also need attention.

Many countries are not on target to meet World Health Assembly targets on nutrition. Most countries are off course in expanding exclusive breastfeeding, and six countries on three continents are regressing badly. Adult diabetes is increasing in 185 countries and is decreasing or stable in just five.

Countries that are committed to reducing malnutrition have the capability to do so, according to the report. Investing in improved nutrition can have economic returns that outpace the U.S. stock market in recent decades. Investing $1 can yield up to $16 in economic benefits.

The timing of the report is particularly important as United Nations member states convene to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals later this month. Malnutrition is tied to many of the proposed goals—and when 45% of all deaths of children under 5 are related to malnutrition, it’s critical that leaders keep nutrition policy at the forefront of their decision-making. The report’s website contains profiles of 193 countries’ progress on improving nutrition.

The GNR 2015 reveals that:

• In Nigeria, 52% percent of children are stunted, wasted or both. 

• A minority of children grow up with adequate nutrition

• Only 4 other countries are in this group: Bangladesh, DRC, Ethiopia and Pakistan

• To combat malnutrition an $837m investment is needed a year  

• This would save 180,000 lives, and avert 3 million cases of stunting a year 

• The cost of averting each case of stunting is a mere $292

The 2015 Global Nutrition Report is a comprehensive summary and scorecard on both global and country level progress on all forms of nutrition. The report, the second in an annual series, covers nutrition status and program coverage as well as underlying determinants such as food security; water, sanitation, and hygiene; resource allocations; and institutional and policy changes—globally, and for 193 countries.  The 2015 edition highlights the critical relationship between climate change and nutrition and the pivotal role business can play.