A silent crisis: Malnutrition amongst children

Poverty, fertility, disease burden, hand hygiene and breastfeeding are some of the reasons behind child malnutrition.

PESHAWAR: Malnutrition in Pakistan is at the world’s worst levels and has not witnessed any improvement for decades, said participants at a media roundtable conference organised by Save the Children in Peshawar on Monday. UNICEF Health and Nutrition Specialist Dr Abdul pulled out salient facts from the National Nutrition Survey 2011, focusing on stunting (low growth) and wasting (low weight). At least 17% of the children under the age of five in the province and 15.1% nationwide suffered from wasting, which by the World Health Organisation’s standards would constitute an “emergency”.  Save the Children Advocacy and Campaigns Provincial Manager Adnan Sajid emphasised the importance of the debate on nutrition showcased by the media pre and post general elections. “Malnutrition can be ended in a generation if the issue is recognised and prioritised by all stakeholders,” said Sajid. “It is time for action, to focus on nutrition as an investment and an entry point to poverty reduction and socioeconomic development.” According to Nutrition Advocacy Consultant Dr Irshad Danish, poverty is not the only reason behind child malnutrition; there are strong links to fertility, disease burden, hand hygiene, and breastfeeding.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8^th, 2013.