by Millions of children around the world do not have access to the nutritious and varied diets they need to thrive. This crisis, known as child food poverty, is fueled by a complex web of factors, including rising inequality, conflict, climate change, and unhealthy food marketing practices. A recent UNICEF report, “Child Food Poverty: Malnutrition in Early Childhood”, highlights the dire consequences of this issue and calls for urgent action by governments, international organisations, civil society and the private sector.
UNICEF defines child food poverty as the inability of children to access and consume a diet rich in essential nutrients during their early years. This lack of a balanced diet greatly affects the child’s survival, growth and cognitive development. It can weaken a child’s immune system, increasing their susceptibility to infections and hindering their ability to learn and reach their full potential. Children who are not properly nourished in early childhood are more likely to struggle in school, have lower earning potential in the future, and remain trapped in a cycle of poverty that lasts for generations.
The report paints a grim picture of the global situation. One in four children under the age of five, that’s 181 million, suffer from severe child food poverty. This means millions of children are deprived of the vital nutrients they need to build healthy bodies and minds. Although progress in ending this crisis has been slow, some regions and countries have shown that change is possible. Their success stories offer valuable insights and hope for a future where every child can access a healthy diet.
The report reveals that severe child food poverty affects both poor and non-poor families, indicating that income is not the only determinant. This highlights the need for interventions that address a more comprehensive range of factors than just economic inequality.
Children at risk of severe food poverty miss out on essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and protein, which are vital for healthy growth and development. The lack of these important nutrients can lead to stunted growth and weaken the child’s immune system. At the same time, unhealthy processed foods become a staple in their diets, affecting their nutrient intake.
Conflicts, climate shocks, and the global food and nutrition crisis increase child food poverty, especially in fragile countries. These factors disrupt food systems, reduce the availability of fresh produce, and drive up food prices, making it even more difficult for families to have nutritious food.
Severe child food poverty is a significant driver of child undernutrition, and countries with high rates of child stunting have a three-fold increase in the prevalence of severe child food poverty. Stunting, a condition in which children are too short for their age, is a significant indicator of chronic malnutrition and has long-term consequences for a child’s physical and cognitive development.
The report highlights the alarming situation in Bangladesh, where two out of every three children under the age of five are living in child food poverty. This means that approximately 10 million children eat diets that do not contain at least the five food groups recommended for proper nutrition. The consequences are dire, with children in extreme food poverty 50% more likely to become stunted, a severe form of malnutrition characterized by rapid weight loss and muscle wasting. This condition can be life threatening, especially for young children.
Bangladesh is among the top 20 countries accounting for nearly two-thirds of the world’s children with severe child food poverty. The consequences of inadequate nutrition can last a lifetime, hindering children’s educational attainment and future earning potential and perpetuating the cycle of poverty. This harms individual children and hinders the overall development of the nation.
The report identifies many factors contributing to the child food poverty crisis in Bangladesh. Many families struggle to afford nutritious food, especially during economic hardship or food price inflation.
Parents may need to learn about proper infant feeding practices, including the importance of a varied diet and appropriate meal frequency for young children.
Aggressive marketing of ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks targets children and influences their food choices. These foods are often low in nutrients and high in calories, sugar, unhealthy fats, and salt, which contribute to unhealthy diets and childhood obesity.
Climate change affects agricultural production, leading to food insecurity and price fluctuations. This makes it even more difficult for families to find affordable nutritious food. Disasters like floods and cyclones can destroy crops and livelihoods, making the situation even worse.
UNICEF recommends a multifaceted approach to combating child food poverty in Bangladesh and other countries facing similar challenges. This approach requires collaboration between governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector.
Investing in health care systems enables the delivery of essential nutrition services, including counseling on child feeding and early detection and treatment of malnutrition. This includes prioritizing the most vulnerable children at risk of food poverty.
Building the capacity of community health and nutrition workers is essential. These frontline workers can provide parents and caregivers with timely, high-quality counseling on recommended feeding practices for infants and young children.
Establishing robust policy and regulatory frameworks across the food, health and social protection sectors is essential. This includes addressing the root causes of child food poverty, such as poverty itself, and protecting children from the harmful effects of unhealthy food marketing.
Governments must take measures to regulate the marketing of unhealthy foods and drinks to children. This could include restrictions on advertising, product placement, and sponsorship deals targeting young audiences.
Strengthening social protection programs such as cash transfers and food aid can help alleviate poverty and improve household access to nutritious food. These programs should be designed to be responsive to the specific needs of children and their families.
Strong data collection systems are essential to effectively combat child food poverty. These systems allow monitoring the prevalence and severity of the problem, identifying areas of greatest need, and tracking progress over time. Early detection of increases in child food poverty, particularly in fragile and humanitarian contexts, is critical for timely action.
The UNICEF report serves as a call to action for the international community. Ending child food poverty requires global commitment and a multifaceted approach. Governments and development partners must prioritize the reduction of child food poverty as a critical step towards achieving international and national nutrition and development goals. It must be recognized as a metric of success in protecting children’s food and nutrition rights.
Changing food systems is essential to ensure that healthy, diverse and affordable food options are readily available to families with young children. This includes promoting sustainable agricultural practices, reducing food waste, and encouraging the production and distribution of nutritious foods. The food and drink industry must also play a role by complying with policies that protect children from the marketing of unhealthy products.
Social protection systems play a vital role in combating child food poverty. Governments need to invest in programs that provide financial assistance to families, especially those at risk. These programs should focus on the specific needs of children and their families, ensuring access to nutritious food.
Child food poverty is a complex and multifaceted challenge with devastating consequences for millions of children worldwide. Governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector can create a future where all children can access the nutritious food they need to thrive. Investing in solutions to address child food poverty is about achieving a basic human right and building a healthier, fairer and more prosperous future for all.
Dr Matiur Rahman is a researcher and development worker.
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