Global Nutrition Report 2018
Shining a light to spur action on nutrition
The figures are alarming. Malnutrition is responsible for more ill-health than any other cause and while progress on tackling malnutrition has been made, it is simply not good enough. No country is on course to meet all nine global malnutrition targets. The 2018 Global Nutrition Report finds that, despite malnutrition remaining unacceptably high, we are better equipped to fight malnutrition than ever before; we have better knowledge, more and better data and an enabling environment, with governments stepping up to lead action around the world. This year’s report focuses on the unprecedented opportunity to end malnutrition in all of its forms – by helping to guide action, build accountability and spark increased commitment for further progress towards reducing malnutrition at an accelerated pace.
Key facts:
- We’ve seen progress, for instance in fighting stunting. But overall it has been too slow and too patchy
- Malnutrition is responsible for more ill health than any other cause.
- Alarming figures for children. More than 20% of under-5s are stunted; 20 million babies are born underweight.
- 1/3 of reproductive-age women are anaemic.
- Coexisting burdens bear down on millions of children – 15.95 million children affected by wasting and stunting; 8.23 million children by stunting and overweight.
- Record levels of obesity: 39% of all adults are overweight or obese, from Africa to North America.
- No country in the world can afford to overlook malnutrition. All countries with sufficient data suffer from at least one form of malnutrition. 88% have more than one form.
- No country is on track to achieve the adult obesity target, or to reach the anaemia target.
- Malnutrition in all its forms could cost society up to US$3.5 trillion per year. Overweight and obesity alone costs US$500 billion per year.
- Malnutrition is a health, social and economic issue. It has a multiplier effect across multiple aspects of development.
