Junk food habits may be driving rising malnutrition in Sudurpaschim
Summary
A rise in consumption of packaged and processed foods in Sudurpaschim province is contributing to worsening malnutrition among children, with nearly 16 percent suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
Key Points
- Nearly 16 percent of children under five in Sudurpaschim suffer from severe acute malnutrition, exceeding the WHO threshold for serious acute malnutrition.
- The preference for packaged and processed 'junk' foods is contributing to poor nutrition and malnutrition in Sudurpaschim.
- Malnutrition is linked not only to food insecurity but also to lack of awareness, declining local food consumption, and poor health and sanitation conditions.
- Nepal aims to meet Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 by reducing stunting, wasting, underweight prevalence, and anemia rates among children.
