Undernourished and Overlooked: A Global Nutrition Crisis in Adolescent Girls and Women Report

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) recently released a report titled “Undernourished and Overlooked: A Global Nutrition Crisis in Adolescent Girls and Women.” The report sheds light on the challenges that adolescent girls and women face in accessing nutritious diets, essential nutrition services, and positive nutrition and care practices. This article delves into the key findings of the report and the implications of undernutrition among adolescent girls and women.

Key Findings of the Report

The UNICEF report highlights that adolescent girls and women are often overlooked in global nutrition efforts, despite their vital role in society. It notes that undernutrition among adolescent girls and women has severe consequences for their own health and wellbeing, as well as for the health of their children. The following are the key findings of the report:

7.3 Million Adolescent Girls and Women in Nigeria are Undernourished

According to the report, 7.3 million adolescent girls and women in Nigeria aged between 15 and 49 are undernourished. This number has increased from 5.6 million in 2018. This trend is putting newborn babies at risk, as undernourished mothers are more likely to give birth to underweight babies who are at higher risk of mortality.

Barriers to Accessing Nutritious Diets and Essential Nutrition Services

The report identifies several barriers to accessing nutritious diets and essential nutrition services for adolescent girls and women. These barriers include poverty, limited education, cultural beliefs and practices, and gender-based discrimination. Adolescent girls and women in rural areas and conflict-affected regions are particularly vulnerable to these barriers.

Consequences of Undernutrition

The consequences of undernutrition among adolescent girls and women are severe. It can lead to weakened immunity, poor cognitive development, and an increased risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Children born to undernourished mothers are also at higher risk of stunting and wasting.

Implications of Undernutrition Among Adolescent Girls and Women

The UNICEF report highlights that undernutrition among adolescent girls and women has far-reaching implications for their health and wellbeing, as well as for the health of their children. The following are some of the implications of undernutrition among adolescent girls and women:

Poor Health Outcomes

Undernutrition can lead to a range of poor health outcomes among adolescent girls and women, including anemia, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and impaired immune function. These health outcomes can have long-term consequences for their physical and mental health.

Inter-Generational Cycle of Undernutrition

Undernutrition among adolescent girls and women can perpetuate a cycle of undernutrition across generations. Children born to undernourished mothers are more likely to be undernourished themselves, perpetuating the cycle of undernutrition and its associated health consequences.

Economic Costs

Undernutrition among adolescent girls and women can have significant economic costs. It can lead to reduced productivity, increased healthcare costs, and lower economic growth. These costs can have long-term implications for national development.