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.
About the author
John Chukwuemeka Uruakpa
John Chukwuemeka Uruakpa is the director and head of the nutrition special program at Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Health. A seasoned public servant whose professional experience spans over 28 years in nutrition programming and policy, he is a member of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, or NSN, the National Food Fortification Alliance, and the country working group of the West Africa Bouillon Initiative, and president of the Nigeria country working group on rice fortification. He holds a master’s in food science and technology from the University of Ibadan.
