Undernutrition is still a pervasive problem in Africa. According to the website Food For Africa, 75 percent of the African population have no access to nutritious food. This results to some 50 percent of children who have deficiencies in calcium, iron, or zinc. In addition, stunting is also a common case which occurs for about more than one child for every five African children. Stunting is a term that refers to a condition wherein individuals have a shorter height for their weight and age.
How does poor health affect these children's lives?
According to a 2013 study conducted by the Save the Children foundation, chronically malnourished children are 20 percent less literate than children who are in proper health condition. Undernutrition, therefore, impedes learning and education, which are important requirements for a nation's development. In this case, the cognitive development of children are compromised and at the same time, economic development does is negatively affected. The study was also able to calculate how much, in monetary terms, an individual loses by not achieving proper health. According to the study, undernourished individuals earn 20 percent less than those in full health. Hence, both the ability to learn and earn are thus being compromised.
According to a news release published in All Africa, one of the initiatives to address the undernutrition is the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN). SUN is a movement that seeks to gain commitment from governments such as UK and Brazil to continue to wage war against undernutrition. Together with Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), UK and Brazil were able to hold a meeting in London. The meeting was themed "Nutrition for Growth: Beating Hunger through Business and Science."
On the contrary, an article in All Africa also states that the number of children who are considered overweight and obese is also increasing in many developing countries. In Africa alone, the number of overweight and obese children has doubled in the past twenty years. Worldwide, however, about 43 million children aged five and younger are overweight or obese. This figure was estimated in 2011. Additionally, three fourths of this number are from low- to middle-income families. Many of them are from the African region.
Obesity is also a form of malnutrition. It can lead to different kinds of diseases and complications such as diabetes, heart complications, and stroke. But what factors could have possibly led to the increase in the number of overweight children when it is commonly believed that these children from developing countries do not have enough to eat?
According to the World Health Organization, a number of factors can help explain this trend. For one thing, many developing countries undergo rapid urbanization. Urbanization may be one of the factors responsible for less physical activities. Also, many manufactured food contain high levels of sugar, fat, and salt. This could also have influenced the eating patterns of many children.
According to the article, policy reviews and strategic problem solving is needed to tackle this challenge. Even developed countries also have problems regarding overweight children. For now, the most that the WHO can do is to control the number and make sure that it does not dramatically rise until year 2025.
Humphrey Kariuki Ndegwa is the founder and present CEO of Dalbit Petroleum, a petroleum distribution business catering to the African region. He is also a regular blogger, whose articles revolve around the pressing issues in African economy and development.
How does poor health affect these children's lives?
According to a 2013 study conducted by the Save the Children foundation, chronically malnourished children are 20 percent less literate than children who are in proper health condition. Undernutrition, therefore, impedes learning and education, which are important requirements for a nation's development. In this case, the cognitive development of children are compromised and at the same time, economic development does is negatively affected. The study was also able to calculate how much, in monetary terms, an individual loses by not achieving proper health. According to the study, undernourished individuals earn 20 percent less than those in full health. Hence, both the ability to learn and earn are thus being compromised.
According to a news release published in All Africa, one of the initiatives to address the undernutrition is the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN). SUN is a movement that seeks to gain commitment from governments such as UK and Brazil to continue to wage war against undernutrition. Together with Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), UK and Brazil were able to hold a meeting in London. The meeting was themed "Nutrition for Growth: Beating Hunger through Business and Science."
On the contrary, an article in All Africa also states that the number of children who are considered overweight and obese is also increasing in many developing countries. In Africa alone, the number of overweight and obese children has doubled in the past twenty years. Worldwide, however, about 43 million children aged five and younger are overweight or obese. This figure was estimated in 2011. Additionally, three fourths of this number are from low- to middle-income families. Many of them are from the African region.
Obesity is also a form of malnutrition. It can lead to different kinds of diseases and complications such as diabetes, heart complications, and stroke. But what factors could have possibly led to the increase in the number of overweight children when it is commonly believed that these children from developing countries do not have enough to eat?
According to the World Health Organization, a number of factors can help explain this trend. For one thing, many developing countries undergo rapid urbanization. Urbanization may be one of the factors responsible for less physical activities. Also, many manufactured food contain high levels of sugar, fat, and salt. This could also have influenced the eating patterns of many children.
According to the article, policy reviews and strategic problem solving is needed to tackle this challenge. Even developed countries also have problems regarding overweight children. For now, the most that the WHO can do is to control the number and make sure that it does not dramatically rise until year 2025.
Humphrey Kariuki Ndegwa is the founder and present CEO of Dalbit Petroleum, a petroleum distribution business catering to the African region. He is also a regular blogger, whose articles revolve around the pressing issues in African economy and development.