Lecture No.

07 HND-SP21

Course: Global Food Issues

Instructor: Muhammad Tanveer Aslam

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Malnutrition

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A Global Crisis:
• Malnutrition is a global crisis that affects people of all ages, but it is
most devastating for children. It is a condition that results from
deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person's intake of energy
and/or nutrients. Malnutrition can lead to a weakened immune
system, increased risk of infection, and even death.

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Faces of Malnutrition
Undernutrition: This includes stunting (low height for age), wasting
(low weight for height), and underweight (low weight for age).
Micronutrient deficiencies: These deficiencies can occur when
people do not get enough essential vitamins and minerals in their
diet.
Overweight and obesity: While often considered the opposite of
malnutrition, overweight and obesity can also be caused by an
imbalanced diet.

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Malnutrition is not just about hunger. It is a complex condition that
can be caused by a variety of factors, including poverty, food
insecurity, lack of access to clean water and sanitation, and
inadequate healthcare. The different forms of malnutrition can have
serious consequences for health and development. For example,
stunting can lead to cognitive impairment, while wasting can
increase the risk of death from infectious diseases.

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The Global Impact of Malnutrition
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is
a major public health problem that affects billions of people around
the world.
An estimated 2.3 billion people are affected by undernutrition,
including 149 million children under 5 who are stunted and 45
million who are wasted.
Malnutrition is a leading cause of death in children under 5,
contributing to nearly half of all deaths in this age group.
Malnutrition also has a significant economic impact, costing
countries billions of dollars in lost productivity.
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The burden of malnutrition is not evenly distributed around the
world. Children in low- and middle-income countries are most at
risk. Malnutrition is a major obstacle to achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs), which include a goal to end hunger and
malnutrition by 2030.

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Malnutrition in Pakistan
Pakistan has one of the highest rates of malnutrition in the world.
According to the 2018 National Nutrition Survey, 40% of children
under five in Pakistan are stunted, and 17.7% are wasted.
Micronutrient deficiencies are also common in Pakistan, with more
than half of children under five being deficient in vitamin A.
Malnutrition is a major contributor to child mortality in Pakistan.

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There are a number of factors that contribute to the high rates of
malnutrition in Pakistan, including poverty, food insecurity,
inadequate sanitation and hygiene, and a lack of education about
proper nutrition. The government of Pakistan has made some
efforts to address malnutrition, but more needs to be done to
ensure that all children have access to the nutritious food they need
to grow and thrive.

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Promoting breastfeeding: Breastfeeding is the best source of
nutrition for infants and young children.
Improving food security: This includes investing in agriculture,
reducing food waste, and providing social safety nets for the most
vulnerable populations.
Encouraging dietary diversity: People need to eat a variety of foods
from all food groups to get the nutrients they need.

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Educating people about nutrition: This includes teaching people
about the importance of a healthy diet and how to prepare
nutritious meals.
Investing in clean water and sanitation: Poor sanitation can
contribute to malnutrition by

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Thank You !
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