A recent United Nations report has shed light on the ongoing battle against hunger in Latin America and the Caribbean. The report, titled “Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2023,” reveals that approximately 6.5 per cent of the population in this region continues to grapple with hunger, amounting to roughly 43.2 million individuals.
While this figure represents a modest improvement of 0.5 percentage points compared to previous measurements, the report underscores that the prevalence of hunger remains 0.9 percentage points higher than the 2019 figures recorded before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The complex face of malnutrition
The report delves deeper into the multifaceted issue of malnutrition, encompassing both undernutrition, which includes stunting, childhood wasting, and vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and the concerning rise of overweight and obesity.
Alarming trends in childhood obesity
Between 2000 and 2022, the region witnessed an alarming increase in the prevalence of overweight among children under the age of five, along with a surge in obesity among adults between 2000 and 2016.
In both cases, these rates surpassed the global averages.
A silent epidemic takes hold
Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), voiced concern over the growing challenge posed by overweight and obesity, which have been responsible for approximately 2.8 million deaths from noncommunicable diseases in the Americas in 2021.
Stunted growth in some nations
The report further highlights that certain countries still struggle with a high prevalence of stunting among children under the age of five. At the regional level, this figure stands at a troubling 11.5 per cent.
Although significant progress has been made since 2000, the pace of decline has slowed in recent years.
The prevalence decreased by nearly five percentage points between 2000 and 2012, but the drop was a mere 1.2 percentage points between 2012 and 2022.
UNICEF calls for comprehensive action
Garry Conille, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, emphasized that child malnutrition, in its various forms, continues to impact children and adolescents throughout the region.
He stressed that child undernutrition and overweight are intertwined challenges that demand a comprehensive approach.
