Monday, February 6, 2023
Child malnutrition in Argentina is one of the most important causes of death today. Poverty and the wide social gap are the factors that most affect the problem of malnutrition in early childhood in our country.
In fact, deaths from child malnutrition in Argentina are on the rise. Among the most common symptoms are: fatigue, dizziness, lack of energy, stunted growth, a pale appearance, bone fractures, hair loss, and so on. All of these symptoms not only affect present well-being, but will leave serious consequences for later development.
Against this unfavorable background, in this Pata Pila article we want to give you all the information on child malnutrition that you need. You will also learn how to fight it through the work of a nonprofit organization.
To begin with, it can be said that there is an intimate relationship between this problem and poverty. In fact, poverty is considered one of the main causes of child malnutrition in Argentina.
To get a sense of the statistics on child malnutrition, we should refer to an INDEC report presented in an Infobae article, which states that the child poverty rate is 50.9%. This percentage means about 5.5 million children under 14 are suffering the consequences of poverty. And even 1 in 10 children has not been able to access a basic food basket.
Thus, some of the effects of poverty on child malnutrition in Argentina are the following:
Although it is present throughout Argentine territory, there are specific geographic areas where this social and health problem is even more pronounced.
Indeed, child malnutrition in northern Argentina tends to be more advanced than in other parts of the country.
Below, we mention some of the areas and provinces most affected by child malnutrition in Argentina, based on data gathered in an article by the Institute for Social, Economic and Civic Research (ISEPC):
Finally, within the framework of child malnutrition in Argentina, we cannot fail to mention which age group is directly affected by this social problem.
In this regard, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, 52 million children under 5 suffer from wasting; 17 million from severe wasting or chronic child malnutrition; and 155 million children have stunted growth.
The same situation is repeated in our country. But within the realm of poverty and malnutrition, the reality of communities is often harsher than can be perceived through measurable figures.
There are currently different types of NGOs in Argentina. Some are dedicated to fighting child malnutrition. Such is the case of Pata Pila.
Its founder, Diego Bustamante, describes how he has experienced the malnutrition of the communities the institution assists in northern Argentina. In fact, according to an Infobae article, he states:
"The hardest thing of all was accompanying families through the death of children, when it's a child you knew, or one who had just been born, or a family that was a neighbor. Having to watch a mother or father bury a child is one of the most painful processes I have had to accompany, without a doubt. I had to see it many times (...). Yes, they die of hunger, of malnutrition, from lack of access to work, to the economy, to water; it still happens, and a lot."
In conclusion, to fight child malnutrition in Argentina, it is necessary to define the problem and to know the statistics and their causes. Only then can we design strategies that neutralize its consequences in the short, medium and long term.
At Pata Pila, we invite you to support an NGO and become part of La Comunidad. You can help financially with monthly or one-time donations.
You will also have the chance to become a volunteer to expand the reach of each of the goals we have as a nonprofit institution.
We specialize in helping more than 74 communities that are going through social problems and child malnutrition in Argentina. Donations to an NGO are fundamental. Keep in mind that our ability to change their reality depends on your support.
Be part of the social impact that can help these communities build a better future.
Child malnutrition is a type of malnutrition that currently affects children and families. And although our country has one of the lowest rates of child deaths from this problem in Latin America, many children still die from child malnutrition in Argentina.
Poverty in Argentina is currently present throughout its entire territory. However, there are certain specific areas where poverty, together with a lack of access to health care and education, has caused an increase in child malnutrition.
All the effects of malnutrition negatively affect people's physical, mental and emotional development from childhood. However, recognizing which malnutrition predominates in Argentina is key to understanding the national state of affairs on this problem. And, consequently, to choosing the paths needed to fight it.