Malnutrition is the leading cause of death and ill health globally, responsible for 45% of all childhood deaths. It has also permanently stunted the physical and cognitive development of about 1 in 5 people worldwide.
In my country, Nigeria, these numbers are even more alarming. With the second-highest rate of stunting in the world, 34% of children under 5 years are stunted, and millions of women are malnourished. This deepens the gender nutrition gap, where biological needs, disparities in access to food and services, and harmful social norms have a bearing on the health and economic outcomes of women, girls, and future generations.
Around 57.5% of pregnant women are anemic, and still more suffer from additional micronutrient deficiencies that put them and their babies at serious risk. Malnutrition is also a significant threat to Nigeria’s growth and development, costing up to 11% of our gross domestic product and harming the future success and survival of millions of our children.