Child malnutrition: hungry for action

In 2020, the size and severity of world's food crises reached a new peak in global hunger surge that started 5 years ago. The Global Report on Food Crises, released May 5, found 155 million people were acutely insecure need urgent assistance representing an increase 20 since 2019. Children facing these are especially vulnerable to wasting stunting. 2021 child malnutrition estimates from UNICEF, WHO, World Bank Group corroborate warnings, also highlight increasing prevalence third form malnutrition: overweight. Despite dangers health future potential children worldwide, only about quarter countries track meet 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for stunting, wasting, 55 or territories affected by crises, 15·8 younger than 75·2 Globally, values climb higher still, reaching 45·4 149·2 million, respectively. Most most with live Africa Asia, northern Nigeria, Ethiopia, DR Congo, Sudan accounting more all crisis countries. overlap undernutrition overnutrition—the double burden malnutrition—faced some (eg, Yemen Egypt) further compounds pressing complex issues. causes often intertwined mutually reinforcing. Protracted conflicts, extreme weather events associated climate change, economic fallout COVID-19 pandemic have worsened insecurity. Conflict has impeded access channels, severely impacting children's rights nutritious diverse diet essential their growth development. For consecutive year, three conflict-affected countries—the Yemen, Afghanistan—had largest food-insecure populations; ten highest eight afflicted protracted conflicts. Extremely heavy rains floods parts Africa, Middle East, south Asia 2020 contributed rising acute Job income losses caused pushed many families into poverty. Projected levels will set back progress made past decades reducing mortality threaten human capital millions adolescents. forecast is dire—unless we act now. Evidence interventions prevent manage increased decade. Given common drivers behind overweight, double-duty across life course crucial—eg, micronutrient supplementation, promotion exclusive breastfeeding, complementary therapeutic foods, regulation marketing unhealthy foods breast milk substitutes. Schools providing meals, screening, lifestyle modification promote diets physical activity. None ideas new, but there scale up programmes, strengthen implementation, adapt them local contexts cultures. Implementation research, pragmatic guidance, agile programmes should be prioritised improve efficiency delivering life-saving interventions. This requires renewed commitment donors. Large-scale humanitarian urgently needed avert famine at least countries, estimated US$2·3 billion cash transfers required this year immediate needs additional risk fragile contexts. G7 prevention compact, launched therefore welcome necessary. But given its presidency UK must show reversing drastic cuts 80% (compared 2019) aid spending vital nutrition services. Tackling necessary achieve multiple SDGs, concerted action health, social protection, agriculture sectors. various international summits 2021—eg, G7, COP26, Nutrition Growth Summit—are opportunities accelerate efforts alleviate hunger, maternal nutrition, enhance resilience systems disasters. With less 10 until SDG deadline, no time lose. Double adolescents Arab regionAmid political challenges faced region recent decades, rapid transition been evolving. accelerated urbanisation system transitions, consistently witnessed increases numbers who overweight obese, including among At same time, stunting burdens linger inequitably remain particularly high populations conflict. Full-Text PDF