In its latest iteration, the Global Nutrition Report reveals concerning data about the extensive prevalence of malnutrition across the globe. The issue affects approximately one-third of the world’s child population. Progress in curtailing this issue has been slow and sporadic with some segments depicting more improvements than others.
The Independent Expert Group of the Global Nutrition Report, with the backing of the Global Nutrition Report Stakeholder Group, prepares this comprehensive report. The concept of such a global study originated from the first Nutrition for Growth Initiative Summit (N4G) in 2013, leading to the publication of the inaugural report in 2014. The World Health Organization (WHO) also partners in this endeavor.
The Purpose and Role of the Report
Serving as a global assessment of nutritional health, this report presents data on a global, regional, and country-specific scale. It is instrumental in evaluating the global efforts in improving nutritional health and assessing progress towards Global Nutrition Targets set by the World Health Assembly.
Key Findings
Stunting in children less than five years has seen a decline at a global level; however, an increase is apparent in Africa. Although there have been promising strides against stunting, India carries almost one-third of the global burden. Two Asian countries, India and Pakistan, comprise nearly half of the world’s stunted children.
India also tops the list for the number of wasted children, followed by Nigeria and Indonesia. Overweight and obesity issues among adults are escalating, particularly among women. However, men have a higher propensity for diabetes.
| Country | Number of Stunted Children | Number of Wasted Children |
|---|---|---|
| India | 46.6 million | 25.5 million |
| Pakistan | 10.7 million | N/A |
| Nigeria | N/A | 3.4 million |
| Indonesia | N/A | 3.3 million |
Malnutrition: A Multi-Faceted Issue
The various forms of malnutrition often coexist, affecting different sections of the population at varying rates. In crisis situations triggered by conflict or environmental changes, it becomes essential to treat and prevent these multiple burdens while building nutritional resilience.
Action Points
Several recommendations emerge from this report. Cross-functional collaboration is necessary as different forms of malnutrition often overlap and require cohesive efforts. Advancement in data collection and its utilization for evidence-based decisions is vital. There is a pressing need for increased financing for nutrition, especially in developing nations. Finally, both governments and businesses must collaborate on creating a holistic package of actions to ensure the availability, affordability, and desirability of healthy diets.
Malnutrition Explained
Malnutrition refers to dietary imbalances resulting in deficiencies or an excess of nutrients. The conditions fall broadly into two categories, undernutrition and overnutrition. Undernutrition includes stunting, wasting, underweight issues, and micronutrient deficiencies. Overnutrition leads to overweight, obesity, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer.
The Road Ahead
The UN adopted a resolution in 2016 proclaiming a Decade of Action on Nutrition from 2016 to 2025. Simultaneously, the Sustainable Development Goal (Zero hunger) aims to eradicate all forms of hunger and malnutrition by 2030 through promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, support for small scale farmers, and promoting equal access to land, technology, and markets.
Yet, despite these actions, the Global Nutrition Report 2018 indicates that no country is on track to achieve all nine global nutrition targets. Malnutrition remains the leading cause of ill-health worldwide. Overweight and obesity contribute to an estimated four million deaths globally. Hence, a pressing question arises: why has there not been more improvement despite the wealth of information available? This question underscores the urgent need for impactful commitments, continuous monitoring, and delivery mechanisms to eliminate malnutrition in all its forms.
