Question

The effects of childhood malnutrition are devastating. The lack of proper nutrition has long-term effects on physical, social, and cognitive development and the onset of various diseases. For some families, malnutrition is a result of lack of education. For many, it is from a lack of financial resources. What can and should various sectors of society do to combat childhood malnutrition? Consider the role of government agencies, schools, community groups, medical professionals, and private organizations such as charities or religious organizations.

Answer 1

There are some ways through which various sectors of society do to combat malnutrition :-

Make unhealthy food more expensive

Access to cheap, processed food that lacks nutrients is a real issue. In many cases these foods are cheaper and easier to access than healthy nutritious foods.This isn’t an outright solution, but making sugary drinks and processed foods more expensive and less attractive to people can make strides towards the diseases.

Lobby for more nutrition indicators

The IAEG (the group of UN members states deciding the indicators for the SDG targets) has agreed that childhood wasting and stunting will be added as indicators. Advocacy has ensured that the wasting target will be made meaningful by the highest level of political monitoring, and it will get more attention as a result.

Build resilience to climate change

Women play such a crucial role in children’s nutrition yet they are at greater threat from gender-based violence, and are more likely to lose their lives during and after a disaster. This will have huge impacts on food security for them and their children. Climate change will only exacerbate these disasters so we must build community resilience to prevent setbacks in development and nutrition.

Demonstrate links between nutrition and society

Doing anything in the world – business, trade, entertainment – without proper nutrition is like trying to drive a car without proper fuel. When people understand the central role nutrition plays in life, more sectors may get involved in addressing the challenge.

Use existing platforms

Schools are the perfect place to educate children and parents or caregivers at the same time.Workplaces and local stores are also good places to educate people about nutrition.

Monitor food fortification

We know food fortification works, is cost effective and safe – but only if done properly. It has to be a top priority for donors, policymakers, and implementers to ensure that every step of the process is monitored.

Work to end conflict

A zero-hunger world cannot be realised without global, national and regional action in wider domains that cause hunger and poor nutrition. We must address the root causes to existing and potential conflicts and work to reduce the impacts of conflicts and violence on people, hunger and undernutrition.