Understanding the Malnutrition Crisis in Nigeria
Nigeria is Africa’s most populous region and by far the worst affected nation when it comes to child malnutrition. Nigeria has one of the highest burdens of malnutrition in the world, with 2 million children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) every year. However, a very small fraction of this population of children under 5 manage to receive effective and timely treatment, narrowly escaping soaring child mortality rates and long-term developmental challenges. The statistics as per a recent study are alarming and raise concerns for immediate action. 37% of all children under 5 in Nigeria are stunted (chronically malnourished), leading to irreversible cognitive and physical impairments. 7% of these children suffer from wasting (a more severe effect of acute malnutrition), which significantly increases the risk of mortality. 22% of the children are severely underweight, reflecting both chronic and acute malnu...