Malnutrition stunts children's growth in Laos
There are about 385,000 such cases in the country, with 20 per cent of Lao children already stunted by the age of six months, reported the Vientiane Times.
According to the Lao Social Indicator Survey, nearly two million people in Laos, mostly women and children, suffer from some form of undernutrition.
"Chronic malnutrition remains a major concern, with 35.6 per cent of children under five showing signs of long-term undernourishment,' said the news report.
Child food poverty among children in the South-East Asian region has been a pressing issue, largely due to poverty and access to quality food in remote areas.
The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) 2024 report titled "Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood,' revealed that poor diet quality contributes to child malnutrition in South-East Asia.
"Twenty-six per cent of children under five have stunted growth, more than half suffer from micronutrient deficiencies, and child overweight and obesity are a rising concern,' said Unicef.
According to the report, around the world, one in four children is living in severe child food poverty in early childhood, amounting to about 180 million children under the age of five.
"Severe child food poverty is driving child undernutrition. The prevalence of severe child food poverty is three times higher in countries with a high prevalence of child stunting,' said the global agency.
In Laos, the government has taken measures to address the public health issue, targeting to reduce child stunting by 25 per cent by 2030.
"The government aims to create a healthier population by addressing the root causes of malnutrition and ensuring that children are given the chance to grow, learn and contribute to the country's future,' reported Vientiane Times. - Bernama
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