Monday, February 27, 2023
Although child malnutrition in Argentina is one of the lowest in Latin America, this does not mean that action plans do not need to be designed so that it does not directly affect the physical development of the future adult, as well as their psychological and emotional health.
One of the main causes of child malnutrition in Argentina is poverty, which is linked not only to a set of economic hardships but also educational ones.
At the same time, the Indigenous population in certain parts of the country is believed to be more vulnerable to malnutrition in childhood.
So that you know how this social and health problem appears in Latin America, we have written this article. As a result, you will have all the information you need on the subject and learn what alternatives exist to help.
According to a report from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Argentina, as well as Brazil, Chile and Jamaica, have a prevalence of child malnutrition below 2.5%.
Although the percentage of malnutrition in Argentina is low, it is important to mention that it is concentrated in specific areas, detailed below:
In particular, cases of child malnutrition in Argentina are closely linked to poverty.
According to information from the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INDEC), referenced in an Infobae article, the poverty rate is 36.5%, which represents 17.3 million people. Likewise, the prevalence of malnourished children in Argentina is related to extreme poverty, which stands at around 8.8%.
On the other hand, child malnutrition in Argentina is focused on the Indigenous population. In fact, children under 5 who are part of Indigenous communities are believed to have twice the likelihood of suffering this type of malnutrition problem.
Based on data provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Guatemala can be considered the country with the highest rate in Latin America.
In Guatemala, 46.5% of children suffer from this malnutrition problem. In rural areas, this indicator even reaches 60% in Indigenous communities. For example, in the Department of Chiquimula, the figure can reach 80%.
In the ranking of Latin American countries with the highest child malnutrition, we must mention Ecuador and Honduras, which come second and third respectively.
Indeed, Ecuador has a child malnutrition rate of 25.3%. And it is worth noting that this figure rises to 39% when considering the Indigenous child population.
Moreover, in this Latin American country, these values account for 4.3% of GDP.
With regard to Honduras, this country has a level of child malnutrition in children of 22.6% in relation to the child population under 5 years old. These values are closely related to the high levels of poverty, which stand at 66%.
Finally, we cannot fail to mention the decline in cases of child malnutrition in countries such as Peru and Bolivia.
Specifically, Peru reduced the figures from 28% to 12%. This was possible through the application of emergency food programs, by strengthening the supply of fortified foods, together with early detection of cases of child malnutrition.
For its part, the indicator in Bolivia is 5%. This country cut chronic malnutrition by 50% in about a decade.
In summary, even though child malnutrition in Argentina is one of the lowest in Latin America, it is essential to fight this malnutrition problem at its roots.
To do so, we must define the overall picture of child malnutrition in Argentina. And, at the same time, determine the potential ways to help.
As Diego Bustamante, founder of Pata Pila, states in an article in Sophia, solidarity is born from listening to the pain of others. In this context, it is essential to see today's social injustice and be aware of its consequences in people's lives.
At Pata Pila, you can make one-time or monthly financial contributions. And by being part of La Comunidad, you will have the chance to improve the quality of life of 74 communities in our country.
Keep in mind that child malnutrition has consequences for the rest of life. Make your contribution and let proper nutrition change the future of children in Argentina.
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.