Obesity as Well as Extreme Deprivation Lead to Malnutrition

15 Sep 2015 --- Nutrition can be a driver of change or a barrier to progress, and, according to the Global Nutrition Report being released on September 22 in New York City, there are actions leaders of every country should be taking to end malnutrition in all its forms. Among the report’s key findings: One in three members of the global population is malnourished, and the problem exists in every country on the planet—yet the strategies (or “high-impact interventions”) available to resolve it are not being implemented due to lack of money, skills, or political pressure.

The most surprising inclusion of malnutrition was that of obesity – which contrary to popular belief is actually a state of malnutrition just as deprivation is. “Too often people think of malnutrition as just a problem of hungry kids in the poorest countries, but this report shows that malnutrition has many forms and affects all countries, rich and poor alike,” said Dr. Corinna Hawkes, co-author of the report. “The coexistence of nutritional problems associated with extreme deprivation and obesity is the real face of malnutrition.”

Childhood stunting and wasting remain serious problems: More than 160 million children worldwide under five years old are too short for their age (stunted), while more than 50 million don’t weigh enough for their height (wasted). Although countries are increasingly meeting goals for combating stunting and wasting, adult obesity—another form of malnutrition—is growing. The prevalence of obesity rose in every single country between 2010 and 2014, and one in 12 adults worldwide now has Type 2 diabetes.

Climate change is complicating global efforts to end malnutrition. Even small and seasonal fluctuations in climate can have big impacts on food availability and disease patterns, and these in turn dramatically affect children’s survival and development. This means, for example, that babies born in India in November and December are taller on average at 3 years of age than those born in April through September. In a world where many are not eating enough and others are eating too much, food systems also need attention.

Many countries are not on target to meet World Health Assembly targets on nutrition. Most countries are off course in expanding exclusive breastfeeding, and six countries on three continents are regressing badly. Adult diabetes is increasing in 185 countries and is decreasing or stable in just five.

Countries that are committed to reducing malnutrition have the capability to do so, according to the report. Investing in improved nutrition can have economic returns that outpace the U.S. stock market in recent decades. Investing $1 can yield up to $16 in economic benefits.

The timing of the report is particularly important as United Nations member states convene to adopt the Sustainable Development Goals later this month. Malnutrition is tied to many of the proposed goals—and when 45% of all deaths of children under 5 are related to malnutrition, it’s critical that leaders keep nutrition policy at the forefront of their decision-making. The report’s website contains profiles of 193 countries’ progress on improving nutrition.

“The Global Nutrition Report is more than a report—it is a global intervention, calling stakeholders to account and to take action to make this world free of malnutrition and a better place to live in,” said Emorn Udomkesmalee, senior advisor, Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Thailand.