UNICEF Child Nutrition Report 2024: 1 in 4 Children Globally Live in Severe Child Food Poverty

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s 2024 Child Nutrition Report titled “Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood,” globally, 1 in 4 children (27%) live in severe child food poverty. This figure amounts to approximately 181 million children under the age of 5. These children are 50% more likely to experience wasting, a severe form of malnutrition characterized by low weight-for-height.

About the Report:

• Scope: The report examines dietary deprivation among the world’s youngest populations in nearly 100 countries, spanning all income groups.
• Focus: It highlights the status, trends, inequities, and drivers of child food poverty in early childhood, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where child food poverty is most prevalent.
• Impact: The report underscores the implications of child food poverty on undernutrition and poor developmental outcomes.

Understanding Child Food Poverty:

1. Measurement:
   1. Child food poverty is assessed using the UNICEF and World Health Organization (WHO) dietary diversity score.
   1. To achieve minimum dietary diversity for healthy growth and development, children should consume foods from at least 5 out of the 8 defined food groups.
   1. Severity Levels:
      1. Severe Child Food Poverty: 0–2 food groups/day
      1. Moderate Child Food Poverty: 3–4 food groups/day
      1. No Child Food Poverty: 5 or more food groups/day
2. Impact of Conflict:
   1. Somalia: 63% of children live in severe child food poverty, with higher rates in vulnerable communities.
   1. Gaza Strip: 9 out of 10 children consistently experience severe food poverty, surviving on 2 or fewer food groups per day.

Positive Trends:

1. Burkina Faso: Reduced severe child food poverty from 67% in 2010 to 32% in 2021.
2. Nepal: Decreased severe child food poverty from 20% in 2011 to 8% in 2022.
3. Peru: Maintained rates below 5% since 2014.
4. Rwanda: Reduced severe child food poverty from 20% in 2010 to 12% in 2020.

Key Findings:

1. Global Impact: Millions of children under 5 lack access to a nutritious, diverse diet essential for optimal growth and development, impacting both early childhood and long-term health.
2. Nutrient-Dense Foods: Less than 5% of children are fed nutrient-dense foods such as eggs, fish, poultry, or meat.
3. Geographical Distribution:
   1. 65% of affected children (around 117 million) live in 20 countries, including India.
   1. South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa have the highest numbers, with 64 million and 59 million affected children, respectively.
4. Income Disparities:
   1. 46% of severe child food poverty cases occur in poor households.
   1. In wealthier households, 54% (97 million children) face food poverty due to poor food environments and feeding practices.

Recommendations and Initiatives:

1. UNICEF Agenda: To end child food poverty, UNICEF recommends transforming food systems, leveraging health systems, and activating social protection systems to focus on children’s right to food and nutrition.
2. Child Nutrition Fund (CNF): Launched in 2023 by UNICEF, with support from the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), to accelerate actions to prevent, detect, and treat severe child food poverty and malnutrition.

Recent Related News:

• UNEP Report: On March 27, 2024, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) released its “Food Waste Index Report 2024 – Think Eat Save Tracking Progress to Halve Global Food Waste,” which tracks the progress of countries in reducing food waste by 2030.

About the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):

• Established: 1946 as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (renamed in 1953).
• Executive Director: Catherine M. Russell
• Headquarters: New York, USA

Conclusion:

The UNICEF Child Nutrition Report 2024 highlights a critical global issue, with one in four children under the age of 5 living in severe child food poverty. The report underscores the urgent need for global and local efforts to improve child nutrition, emphasizing the importance of diverse and nutritious diets for early childhood development and long-term health. Through targeted initiatives and comprehensive strategies, addressing child food poverty can contribute significantly to mitigating undernutrition and fostering better developmental outcomes for children worldwide.