Malnutrition Kids In Africa
Unicef works to give kids a healthy start.
Malnutrition kids in africa. In sub saharan africa a shocking 28 million children are experiencing stunted growth due to malnutrition. The risk of a child dying before five years of age is highest in africa 76 5 per 1000 live births about 8 times higher than in europe 9 6 per 1000 live births who 2016. Of children in zambia suffer from stunting since 2000 africa is the only region where cases of stunting have actually increased. Well nourished children are better able to grow and learn to participate in their communities and to be resilient in the face of disease or disaster.
Six million children are affected by life threatening severe acute malnutrition in west and central africa. And when nearly 40 of children in sub saharan africa grow up stunted due to chronic malnutrition they lack the capacity to learn and contribute to society. Good nutrition is the bedrock of child survival and child development. Multiple factors including land and crop degradation periodic droughts and weather related shocks poverty limited access to basic food staples and essential services and population growth contribute to emergency levels of malnutrition in the region.
According to local leaders and development officials malnutrition in africa and specifically among africa s youth population deprives africa of up to 16 percent of its potential growth. Approximately 3 1 million children die from undernutrition each year unicef 2018a. Every day nearly 7 500 children under age 5 die from malnutrition. Malnutrition in zambia causes stunting.
More than half of african countries are currently off. Stunting prevents children from developing to their full potential mentally and physically and it is largely irreversible. It s because their little bodies don t get enough of the right nutrients at the right times to support physical and intellectual growth. Africa could have one billion undernourished malnourished and hungry children and young people by 2050 if current levels continue unabated.