ABSTRACT
Globally, billions of people are suffering from malnutrition. Pregnant and lactating women, children, and the aged are greatly affected. Micronutrient deficiencies, known as hidden hunger, are ubiquitous and affecting approximately 195 million children worldwide. South Asia is home to the majority of the global underweight children. Undernutrition affects more than one third of the under-5 children, which are more likely to die due to infectious diseases, respiratory ailments, and diarrhea. They are also affected by neurological damage, lower IQ, weakened immune systems, and retarded growth. The Pakistani population is suffering from the double burden of diseases ranging from protein energy malnutrition to micronutrient deficiencies as well as high rates of infectious and noncommunicable diseases. According to the recent Global Hunger Index (2016), Pakistan is ranked 11th among 118 countries with respect to undernourished populations (22%) and prevalences of higher rates of stunting (45%), wasting (10.5%), and child mortality (8.1%). Pakistani is the 6th most populous country of the world with a total population of 191 million. If we look at the age structure of the Pakistani population, the share of children aged 0–14 years is 33.8% (64.16 million). Among these, 11.87% (22.76 million) are under-5, whereas 21.93% (41.37 million) fall in school aged class (6–14 years). According to the recent National Nutrition Survey, malnutrition contributes to almost 35% of all under-5 deaths in the country. In the southern part of Sindh, it has reached to 21–23%—the worst condition of malnutrition in the world over the years. It has been estimated that about 45.3% of all the children are underweight followed by stunting (36.1%) and wasting (25.2%). Likewise, 62.1% children are anaemic, 56% vitamin A deficient, 41.1% have low levels of vitamin D, and 36.5% are zinc deficient. Malnutrition in Pakistan is mainly due to lack of clean water, poor hygiene and sanitation systems, inflation, poverty, illiteracy, improper feeding and weaning practices, and lack of interest by the officials. However, it is worth mentioning that wealthier families are also challenged by malnutrition either due to excessive calories in the diet or improper eating habits. Malnutrition is not just about food, or just about health care, but is an issue that requires a multisector response. Considering the severity of the issue, there is dire need of joint efforts to mitigate the problem through various strategies like school health and nutrition programs, diet diversification, targeted food fortification, nutrition education, and a “one health” approach.
