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A CONSENSUS ON MALNUTRITION IN AFRICA: A REPORT FROM THE MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCY AWARENESS FORUM (NAIROBI 2017)
Githanga, D; Awiti, A; Were, F; Ngwiri, T; Nyarko, M Y & Shellack, N
Abstract
While most forms of malnutrition are easy to identify at an early age, micronutrient
deficiency also manifests in form of “Hidden Hunger”, where children could seem to be
well fed, but still suffer from deficiencies due to lack of key micronutrients in their diets
whose absence is hard to detect. While the symptoms of micronutrient deficiency may
not be obvious in the short-term, they translate into cognitive deficiencies in the longterm
that negatively affect the economic productivity of these infants when they become
adults, perpetuating the malnutrition cycle. The Micronutrient Deficiency Awareness
Forum was held in April 2017 in Nairobi Kenya, comprising seven specialties from
across sub-Saharan Africa. The forum was convened to discuss how to increase
awareness of conditions associated with micronutrient deficiencies developing from
early childhood, especially those impacting brain development, identify sections of the
population that were at high risk of micronutrient deficiencies, outline available
guidelines on diagnostic tools, assessment and management of deficiencies, and develop
a consensus on best practices in diagnosing, managing, and preventing micronutrient
deficiency and malnutrition. It is estimated that 40% of the children in sub-Saharan
Africa are affected by stunting, which is the most prevalent form of malnutrition, and an
estimated 69-82% of malnutrition cases are not properly treated. This phenomenon is not
without a cost, as malnutrition greatly undermines cognitive development, and ultimately
economic productivity. A 2014 study revealed that Ethiopia lost the equivalent of 12%
of its GDP to malnutrition in 2009. Studies in different countries across the world have
shown that focused interventions work. For instance, early childhood macronutrient
intervention led to a 46% higher wage in adult years in Guatemala. The Micronutrient
Deficiency Awareness Forum 2017 Consensus Report provides suggestions on policy
design and implementation strategies that may lead to early detection, treatment, and
ultimately prevalence reduction of malnutrition across the region.
Keywords
Malnutrition; Micronutrient Deficiency; Kenya; Africa; Nutrition; Infant Screening; Supplementation
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