Recently, UNICEF released “Child Nutrition Report 2024”– titled as “Child Food Poverty: Nutrition deprivation in early childhood”.
Key Findings of the Report
- Approximately 181 million children under the age of 5 years are living in severe child food poverty globally, which accounts for one in four children in this age group.
- According to UNICEF global databases, 2023,in India, 40% of children are living in severe child food poverty.
- Progress in addressing severe child food poverty is slow overall, but some regions and countries are demonstrating that progress is possible.
- Severe child food poverty affects children from both poor and non-poor households, indicating that household income is not the sole factor driving this issue.
- Children living in severe child food poverty lack access to nutrient-rich foods and are increasingly consuming unhealthy foods.
- The global food and nutrition crisis, as well as localised conflicts and climatic shocks, are intensifying severe child food poverty, particularly in fragile countries.
- In vulnerable communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia, more than 80% of parents reported that their child had been unable to eat for an entire day because of a lack of money or other resources.
- Severe child food poverty is a significant driver of child undernutrition.
- The prevalence of severe child food poverty being three times higher in countries with a high prevalence of child stunting.
Child Food Poverty
- UNICEF defines child food poverty as children’s inability to access and consume a nutritious and diverse diet in early childhood (under 5 years old).
The term Child Food poverty or Child malnutrition covers two broad groups of conditions
One is ‘Child Undernutrition’—which includes
- Child Stunting (low height for age),
- Child Wasting (low weight for height),
- Underweight (low weight for age) and
- Micronutrient deficiencies or insufficiencies (a lack of important vitamins and minerals).
The other is Child Overweight, obesity and diet-related eating habits
- Childhood overweight occurs when children’s calorie intake from food and beverages exceeds their energy requirements.
Hidden hunger, also known as micronutrient deficiency, is a form of undernutrition that occurs when people do not have sufficient intake of essential vitamins and minerals in their diets.
Key Drivers of Child Food Poverty
Poor Food Environments
- Disruptions in Rural Areas: Adverse weather, climate shocks, insecurity, or poor infrastructure are disrupting food production and access in rural and remote areas.
- Example: Droughts and floods in African countries like Somalia, have disrupted food production, limiting access to diverse and healthy foods for children in those regions.
- The overabundance of Unhealthy Options: Globally, shops and markets in urban areas are flooded with ultra-processed foods (low in nutrients, high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and salt) that are aggressively marketed and often cheaper than healthier alternatives.
Poor Feeding Practices in Early Childhood
- Generational Knowledge Gaps: Inaccurate information and lack of proper guidance on child feeding practices are being passed down through generations, leading to inadequate diets for young children.
- Gender Inequality: Discriminatory gender norms in some countries are limiting women’s access to information and income, hindering their ability to make informed decisions about their children’s diets.
Household Income Poverty
- Unaffordability of Nutritious Foods: Nutritious foods, especially animal-source proteins (eggs, meat, fish) and fruits and vegetables, are often more expensive than staple foods. This makes it difficult for low-income families to afford a balanced diet for their children.
- Example: Rising food prices due to inflation can push nutritious foods further out of reach for families living in poverty, forcing them to prioritise filling stomachs with less-nutritious options.