“Malnutrition to Vitality: Unlocking Health Through Nourishment and Hope”
National Nutrition Survey (2018) reported, “In Pakistan, four out of ten children under five years of age are stunted, while 17.7% suffer from wasting. The double burden of malnutrition is becoming increasingly apparent, with almost one in three children underweight (28.9%)” (p.6). Malnutrition is a serious condition due to an inadequate dietary intake, particularly among children in their early developmental stages.It significantly affects health, including a weakened immune system, impeding growth and development, and increasing the risk of various diseases. To address these interconnected challenges of the World more sustainably, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by global leaders in 2015 to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all by 2030.
This blog addresses key concepts of SDGs 2 (no hunger) and 3 (well-being and health) that are directly interconnected with each other and other SDGs. Therefore, addressing one goal directly contributes to breaking the other. Malnourishment stands as a critical and deeply concerning issue in Pakistan, acting as a major underlying factor contributing significantly to both the death (mortality) and illness (morbidity) rates observed in children under the age of five. Child malnutrition presents a significant challenge in Pakistan, where its prevalence is among the highest globally. The nation’s efforts to enhance pediatric nutrition and health have also progressed at a slower rate than those observed in other South Asian countries.(Asim & Nawaz, 2018).
According to UNICEF (2020), a child’s survival, health, and development are fundamentally linked to receiving timely and appropriate nutrients. When children are well-nourished, they are far more capable of developing their potential, excelling in learning, contributing meaningfully to their communities, andresisting the effects of illness, natural disasters, and other international crises. Conversely, poor nutrition has detrimental effects on well-being, educational outcomes, and health for generations to come. Moreover, food insecurity, poor sanitation, and lack of healthcare also contribute to malnutrition in Pakistan.
“The right nutrition at the right time is essential for child survival, health, and development.” (UNICEF 2020).
Many health organizations are working to combat malnourishment in Pakistan, including the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Food Programme (WFP), as well as national and local organizations such as Nutrition International and The Aga Khan Foundation. These organizations contribute to decreasing hunger and related problems in Pakistan.
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) Nutrition Programme is dedicated to tackling all forms of malnutrition. It achieves this by strengthening and carefully assessing programs and policies across different sectors. These initiatives aim to improve what people eat, their nutritional well-being, and the health of mothers, infants, and young children during crucial periods of their lives. Despite these initiatives, Pakistan still faces malnourishment among children.
The issue of nutrition hasn’t received enough attention from Pakistan’s top political and government leaders. This lack of focus has led to weak commitment and the absence of a thorough national nutrition policy. Historically, the federal government has prioritized distributing food and boosting the economy, however, these actions alone haven’t been enough to significantly reduce under-nutrition. Meanwhile, at the provincial level, development efforts have mainly concentrated on infrastructure projects.
References:
Asim, M., & Nawaz, Y. (2018). Child malnutrition in Pakistan: evidence from literature. Children, 5(5), 60.
Mohmand, S., & Zaidi, S. (2013). Action on Under-Nutrition in Pakistan: Opportunities and Barriers.
Romero-Martínez, M., Shamah-Levy, T., Vielma-Orozco, E., Heredia-Hernández, O., Mojica-Cuevas, J., Cuevas-Nasu, L., & Rivera-Dommarco, J. (2019). National Health and Nutrition Survey 2018-19: methodology and perspectives. Salud publica de Mexico, 61(6), 917-923.
UNICEF. (2020). Nutrition. Ensuring every child develops to their full potential. In.
About the Author
My name is Hamida Sultan Ali, and I’ve been a proud member of The Aga Khan University Hospital community since 2013. My foundation was built with a Diploma in Nursing (2013) and a Post RN BScN (2018) from AKU-SONAM, leading me to specialize in Medicine. Today, as a Clinical Nurse Instructor in the AKUH Medicine department, I’m deeply invested in fostering the next generation of compassionate and skilled nurses. Currently pursuing my Master of Science in Nursing at AKU-SONAM, my focus is clear: to advance nursing care through rigorous evidence-based research. My ultimate goal is to serve as an influential ambassador for nursing in Pakistan, ensuring our profession continues to deliver the highest standard of care.
