Latest news with #malnutrition
Mail & Guardian
11 hours ago
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Childhood stunting is also stunting South Africa's economy
More than a quarter of South African children under the age of five are chronically malnourished. That's bad for them, their families and the economy. (Envato) Make a list of the country's 10 priorities for national development. Now whittle them down to five. Does your shortlist include giving children enough nutritious food to eat? If not, you're missing an essential part of what countries need to grow their economies. Children who are well nourished and ready to learn, grow up to be skilled and productive workers that drive economic growth. South Africa has a stubbornly high stunting rate; if a child is too short for their age, it is an indication of chronic malnutrition. Despite tough economic circumstances, we can make a huge difference to child nutrition. Peru halved its rate of stunting among children in Make proteins cheaper The The body can convert excess carbohydrates into some amino acids — the building blocks of protein — but it can't produce nine amino acids that are essential for normal growth. Child obesity among poorer children is often linked to a shortage of protein as cash-strapped parents buy cheaper processed foods and starches. This is why we are seeing an increase in the percentage of children who are All of society — government, business, civil society and trade unions — must unite to make a basket of protein-rich staples far more affordable. Another protein-rich food that must be made more affordable is infant formula. Globally, the profit margin on infant formula is north of This suggestion may sit uncomfortably with some, who might view it as undermining the message that 'breast is best'. The reality is that over half of all Make sure minerals and vitamins are added to food Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals — An effective way of making sure children are getting enough micronutrients is to add them to food staples like maize meal and wheat flour, and Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition found that 83% of maize meal in Gauteng and 69% in the Eastern Cape was unfortified or insufficiently fortified. Stricter enforcement should improve compliance, but it would be better if industry just did it without constant policing. There are other effective strategies to supplement micronutrients during pregnancy and the first two years of life. Instead of giving pregnant mothers iron and folate pills during pregnancy, they should get 15 different minerals and vitamins combined in one daily pill. This approach Among at-risk children aged six months to 24 months, small quantity lipid nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) Healthy food for pregnant women Babies born with a birth weight below 2 500g, a Western Cape survey published in 2023 has shown, are The Western Cape government recently Community health workers Countries that have significantly reduced stunting have one thing in common: they can Community health workers (CHWs) are best placed to spot this problem because they visit families regularly, but they are not provided with basic scales to measure weight. Instead, they are issued with coloured tapes to measure Limit the advertising of unhealthy foods Parents want what is best for their children. However, the messages they are most exposed to are not from advocates of healthy living but from the Big Food industry which often encourages eating habits that lead to high blood pressure and diabetes in adulthood. The government should convene a meeting of the dominant food players to forge an agreement towards a healthier nation, which should include constraints on the advertising of unhealthy foods. The five objectives outlined above are attainable even in a cash-constrained environment, but they won't happen without leadership and coordination. The National Food and Nutrition Council is yet to be constituted, but even if it were, its decisions would still need to be rolled out by departmental officials who are relatively junior in the government hierarchy. Good nutrition is so vital to socioeconomic progress that consideration should be given to appointing a 'nutrition czar' with enough authority to drive a strong national programme that could reset the country's trajectory of development over the next decade. David Harrison is a medical doctor and chief executive of the This story was produced by the . Sign up for the .
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE, WHO launch joint effort to cut child mortality from malnutrition by 20% in Yemen
The UAE and the World Health Organisation launched a joint initiative to reduce mortality rate caused by poor health and malnutrition among children in Yemen by 20 per cent. The global body said on Sunday that the project aims to enhance maternal and child health services — targeting 80 per cent across health facilities within the next 24 months. The initiative is led by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Work, and in close coordination with Yemen's Ministry of Public Health and Population (MoPHP). The focus of the programme is Socotra, a Yemeni island in the Indian Ocean, where malnutrition and disease outbreaks continue to pose a serious threat. Socotra is grappling with severe food insecurity and repeated outbreaks of cholera, measles, and dengue fever. The island's under-resourced health and nutrition services leave children under five, along with pregnant and lactating women, at especially high risk of preventable diseases and death. With a population of over 83,000, Socotra is served by just 32 strained health facilities. It currently lacks essential infrastructure such as a central public health laboratory, a functional drug warehouse, and a system for pre-positioning medical supplies — all critical for timely emergency response and sustainable healthcare delivery. The healthcare system faces chronic shortages of skilled personnel, essential medicines, and emergency preparedness mechanisms. Maternal health indicators are particularly concerning: over 92 per cent of pregnant women suffer from anaemia, and antenatal care remains minimal. Additionally, nearly 37 per cent of children have not received any vaccinations. Malnutrition levels are also alarming, with the global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate at 10.9 per cent and the severe acute malnutrition (SAM) rate at 1.6 per cent — figures that reflect a serious public health emergency. As part of the programme, WHO and the UAE will focus on enhancing epidemic preparedness and disaster risk reduction. This includes equipping healthcare facilities, training staff to better respond to disease outbreaks and cyclone-related emergencies, and creating a multisectoral coordination platform. Quarterly strategic planning meetings will bring together WHO, UAE, MoPHP, and other partners to ensure ongoing collaboration and effective implementation. 'We are determined to effectively address food and health challenges faced by women and children in Socotra, in collaboration with the WHO,' said Mohamed Haji Al Khouri, director-general of the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation for Humanitarian Work. Al Khouri explained that the Khalifa Foundation, an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, would work with the WHO to develop appropriate solutions to nutritional and health challenges using a new survey based on current data. 'The joint initiative aims to reduce maternal and child mortality caused by malnutrition through a comprehensive plan of action. This will enhance maternal, infant, and child care services, and improve emergency preparedness and response to epidemics,' he added.' 'This programme reflects a joint commitment by WHO and the UAE to improving the health and well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly mothers and children, while reinforcing healthcare systems in crisis-affected areas," said Dr Ferima Coulibaly-Zerbo, acting representative of WHO in Yemen. "We are working to create more resilient, equitable, and responsive health services for the people of Socotra, establishing a foundation for long-term health security on the island and contributing to a stronger and healthier Yemen,' she added.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Turkey sees sharp rise in obesity
Worldwide, over 1 billion people are living with obesity. It's become such a serious issue that the World Health Organization has called it an "epidemic." According to a 2022 WHO report, Turkey ranks first in Europe for rates of overweight and obesity, with 66.8% of people affected. Turkey is also one of the world's high-income nations that is experiencing the sharpest rise in obesity. By 2030, it's estimated that 27 million people in Turkey — or one in three — will be obese. Health and social experts attribute this trend to insufficient nutrition, social inequality, unhealthy food supplies and a lack of coherent policy strategies. Studies indicate that one in five children in Turkey suffers from malnutrition, at least 10% of whom are overweight or obese. For years, Turkey has faced high food price inflation, reducing citizens' purchasing power. Hacer Foggo, a Turkish poverty researcher and activist, said the growing number of obese children can be linked to extreme poverty. "Malnutrition can stunt growth and lead to obesity," she said, pointing to a 2022 study by the Turkish Statistical Institute showing that 62.4% of children in Turkey predominantly eat bread and pasta. These findings, she added, have not been taken seriously enough. Bulent Sik, a food researcher, sees a direct link between the rise in child obesity and the widespread consumption of highly processed foods with low nutritional value and a high sugar content. "The increasing consumption of cheap, easily accessible snacks and sugary soft drinks is directly tied to the rise in obesity," he said. As long as the manufacturing of these products is not regulated, he added, most political measures remain merely symbolic. Sik also warned of another risk: the use of toxic chemicals in food production, such as pesticides and certain additives that are related to hormonal imbalances and weight gain. "Some of these toxic substances have a negative impact on hormone systems," he explained, "which poses a serious threat, especially for growing children." He cited a study by Greenpeace Turkey showing that one-third of produce sold in Istanbul contained pesticide residues that can disrupt hormones, impede neurological development and potentially cause cancer. Despite these findings, Sik said, government food oversight policies still focus primarily on calorie counting. Turkey's Health Ministry has launched a national public health campaign to combat obesity, setting up stations in busy public areas and at event venues to measure citizens' height, weight and body mass index, or BMI. The aim is to identify overweight individuals and refer them to health centers or general practitioners, where they can receive support from nutritional advisers. The ministry hopes its campaign, launched in mid-May, will reach 10 million citizens within two months and help raise awareness about the dangers of obesity while promoting a healthy lifestyle. But the effort has drawn criticism for stigmatizing overweight individuals and overlooking the country's broader economic struggles. Experts say the state has not issued adequate guidelines for healthy eating or restricted the marketing of unhealthy foods. This lack of regulation is putting children and low-income communities at particular risk. "Political decision-makers are responsible for creating solutions," said Sik. Healthy and fresh foods are often more expensive and largely inaccessible to low-income households, leading to a nutritional imbalance. This contributes to obesity, growth disorders and iron deficiency in children. Both Sik and Foggo support a nationwide free school meal program. Foggo criticized the government for failing to act, despite repeated calls. "In the parliament's protocols, you can see that the Health Ministry has recognized the problem and sees that school meals are the solution. But not a single step has been taken," she said. Turkey is also facing a shortage of professionals in the field. According to the health and social workers' union Saglik Sen, the number of dietitians working in public hospitals has dropped by nearly 20% over the past five years. This article was originally written in German.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Israel's war against Hamas is succeeding. No wonder the West wants it to end
Believe it or not, six weeks from today is the 40th anniversary of Live Aid. For most people, the images that lodge in the mind – aside from the razzamatazz of the 'feed the world' finale – are those of starving Ethiopian toddlers with distended bellies, stick-thin limbs and flies spotting their eyes and lips. Up to a million dead. Two-and-a-half million displaced. Two hundred thousand orphans. Yet four decades later, we are cynically being asked to believe, with no evidence, that a similar catastrophe is engulfing Gaza. Get your children to open Snapchat and look at what ordinary people are posting in the Strip. This morning, I saw videos of a man baking bread, another cooking a stew, families eating together and footage of bustling markets. They even have their own food influencers, like 11-year-old 'Renad From Gaza', who has 1.2 million followers on Instagram. Her recent videos show her cheerfully making lasagne, labneh, pitta and mezze, and home-made crisps from different shapes of pasta which she boils, dries in the sun, deep-fries and flavours. Astonishingly, from time to time she also posts that Gaza is 'starving'. We must not underplay the hardship in the Strip. Malnutrition? There have been some recorded cases. But in 2022, before the war broke out, when Qatari money was pouring in and Hamas was putting the finishing touches to its 400-mile tunnel network, there were over 2,700 such cases amongst impoverished children under the age of five. That's what happens when your country is run by Islamist fanatics. After almost three years of being driven to disaster by Hamas, everything is worse for the citizens of Gaza. They are reliant on aid and enduring relentless displacement, not to mention the appalling death and injury when civilians are caught in the crossfire as Israel battles to protect its people. For many, daily life is an unglamorous grind of deprivation. On the phone, a contact told me he was at his wits' end over showering, a tedious process of gathering water, warming a portion over a fire, mixing it to get the right temperature, and pouring it over your head in the dubious privacy of a tent. Food is expensive and limited. But there is no famine. Before the war, 72 trucks of humanitarian aid entered the Strip every day. After the onset of fighting, that number climbed to a daily average of 170, an increase of more than 98 per cent in volume. Of this, food increased by 80 per cent, facilitated by the IDF's Joint Coordination Board. To put this in perspective, more than half-a-million Sudanese children under the age of five have died from malnutrition in two years of war. With a population of 50 million, Sudan has received fewer than 1,500 truckloads of aid in the last two years. Gaza, whose population is 25 times smaller, has received 92,000 truckloads in the last 18 months. Yet we are told that Israel is starving the Strip. What is really going on? The Kerem Shalom crossing is the only route into Gaza designed for cargo; the other one, the Rafah crossing into Egypt, was sealed in May, after Cairo refused to cooperate with Israel when the town was taken from Hamas. Much of the aid entering through Kerem Shalom has been looted. Six months ago, the humanitarian coordinator, Muhannad Hadi, said: 'Just last week, one driver was shot in the head and hospitalised, along with another truck driver. This Saturday, no less than 98 trucks were looted in a single attack.' The result? First, Hamas can prioritise feeding its fighters (while truly starving the Israeli hostages underground, some of whom have been able to see stockpiles of food). Secondly, it can maintain its grip on the population, controlling prices and enforcing obedience. The sorry truth is that all the aid agencies in Gaza, including the UN, have been compromised by Hamas. This is unsurprising given that they are staffed by Palestinians, who are under the totalitarian rule of the jihadis. Several UN staff took part in the October 7 atrocities. Ten per cent of its employees – about 1,200 men – are card-carrying members of Hamas or Islamic Jihad according to Israeli intelligence. Weapons and hostages have been found in UN facilities. Terrorists have operated from UN schools. In March, Israel cut off deliveries of aid, placing the jihadis under pressure and forcing the depletion of stockpiles. Moronic Israeli ministers made inflammatory remarks which were seized upon by foreign enemies. But as the bottom of the barrel approached, Jerusalem was working on a new plan. Together with the United States, it has now established a new agency, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which offers aid to civilians directly, bypassing both the UN and Hamas. Speaking to Arabic television on his way to receive food this week, one Palestinian man declared: 'We want to eat. Bravo Trump and the IDF!' Hell hath no fury like a supranational institution scorned. Last week, a UN chief made the outrageous claim that 14,000 Palestinian babies would die within 48 hours. After these deaths failed to transpire, no apologies were offered, even from those MPs who parroted the libel in Parliament. It was propaganda and its job was done. 'If there's a problem, you have to go out there and solve it,' Bob Geldof said. That is exactly what Israel is doing. Don't let them tell you otherwise. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The National
3 days ago
- General
- The National
Gazan girl's life saved in UAE by doctors who had 'never seen such severe malnutrition'
Gazan 12-year-old Rahaf Ayyad is receiving life-saving treatment for malnourishment and severe health problems at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Khalifa Medical City. She arrived in the UAE on May 14 on an evacuation flight that carried 101 patients, accompanied by 87 family members. Heart failure and death were imminent, doctors told The National, when Rahaf was admitted to the medical city after months of suffering. She had lost most of her hair, was unable to walk let alone lift her arm, and had regular seizures. Her face was hollowed out by malnutrition and her teeth were yellow. 'At that point, if Rahaf had not got treatment immediately, she would have died. I have never seen such severe malnutrition like in Rahaf's case,' Dr Tawfik Hen, general paediatric consultant, said. A multidisciplinary team of doctors was needed to stabilise Rahaf's condition. Today, her blonde hair is growing back and, above all, she can walk again. 'I missed my hair,' she told The National. 'I missed playing hide and seek with my brothers and sisters, and I miss school.' Rahaf has six siblings – the eldest, Mohamed, is 17 and her favourite. Her mother said her family of seven children and her father are waiting for her to join them at the Emirates Humanitarian City. A video of Rahaf made by a doctor in Gaza changed their lives. Without it, Rahaf would not be alive today. It was this video that sparked action from the authorities in Abu Dhabi to make sure Rahaf was on the evacuation flight. Who is Rahaf Ayyad? A lack of food and protein was the primary cause of Rahaf's health issues, as she suffered with kidney problems and a vitamin deficiency. In a previous interview with The National, she described how she felt weaker every day and even basic daily tasks felt impossible as she struggled to walk. Rahaf often cried as she compared herself with old photos showing her looking healthy. The war left her bones protruding, cheeks swollen, skin pale with dark spots on her face and scalp, and losing her hair. Her mother, Shroog Ayyad, said treatment was not available in Gaza and Rahaf's condition only got worse as the Israeli blockade, which stopped the entry of food, water, medicine and aid into the enclave, continued. In early May, Shroog appealed to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and other Arab nations for urgent help. The Emirates answered. 'There are not enough words of gratitude that I can say to the UAE for bringing us all over and caring for Rahaf,' Shroog said. Rahaf is expected to be discharged from hospital within two weeks. What next for the supply of aid into Gaza? Rahaf is on the road to recovery as Hamas is studying a ceasefire plan presented by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, which Washington says Israel has already agreed to. If Hamas accepts the agreement, deliveries of aid into Gaza will intensify with the agreed distribution mechanism set to remain in place during a 60-day truce. The resumption of humanitarian aid would involve 1,000 lorries a day to quickly address the widespread hunger, acute shortages of medicine and other essentials among Gaza's 2.3 million residents. Rahaf Ayyad is treated in Abu Dhabi - in pictures
