‘Nigeria home to second largest malnourished children’

Nigeria has been described as home to the second largest malnourished children in the world.

TechnoServe, a nutrition promoting not-for-profit organisation, disclosed this at this year’s World Food Day.

The theme of the event was: “Our Actions Are Our Future: A #Zero Hunger World by 2030 is Possible,” targeting one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty.

The report stated: “Nigeria faces the biggest burden of under-nutrition in Africa and is home to the world’s second largest population of malnourished children.”

It revealed that one out of three Nigerian children under the age of five is considered stunted, and that their bodies and brains are deprived of the key nutrients that they need to fully develop and reach their potential.

It said a range of serious health consequences could result from poor nutrition, such as anemia, blindness, brain damage, and impaired cognitive function, plus increased risk of infant mortality, miscarriage, and stillbirth.

HarvestPlus Nigeria, a member Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), has also disclosed that hidden hunger; meaning deficiencies in micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals are prevalent in the country.