Exploring What are the types of malnutrition in Ethiopia?

November 18, 2025 •

3 min read

According to UNICEF, in early 2025, over 1.2 million children in Ethiopia suffered from acute malnutrition. This article explores the various types of malnutrition in Ethiopia, detailing the pervasive forms of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and the growing challenge of overnutrition.

Quick Summary

This article provides an in-depth look at the major forms of malnutrition impacting Ethiopia, covering acute (wasting) and chronic (stunting) undernutrition, critical micronutrient deficiencies, and the rising issue of overnutrition. It highlights the complex causes, health consequences, and ongoing interventions.

Key Points

Undernutrition is a primary concern: Stunting and wasting, affecting a high proportion of children and women, are the most widespread forms of malnutrition in Ethiopia.
Micronutrient deficiencies are widespread: 'Hidden hunger' from a lack of essential vitamins and minerals like iron, vitamin A, and iodine affects many, particularly children and pregnant women.
The 'double burden' is emerging: Alongside undernutrition, obesity and overweight are becoming significant public health issues in urban areas, driven by dietary changes and sedentary lifestyles.
Drought and conflict are major drivers: Environmental factors like recurring droughts and socio-political instability are key contributors to food insecurity and malnutrition crises.
Multisectoral interventions are in place: The Ethiopian government, with international partners, uses strategies like community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM), food fortification, and supplementation programs to fight malnutrition.

Understanding the Landscape of Malnutrition in Ethiopia

Malnutrition, defined as deficiencies, excesses, or imbalances in a person's intake of energy and/or nutrients, is a multifaceted public health challenge in Ethiopia. The country faces what is often termed the 'double burden of malnutrition,' where undernutrition coexists with emerging trends of overnutrition. Addressing this requires a comprehensive understanding of each type, its causes, and its specific impact on vulnerable populations, especially children and women.

Forms of Undernutrition

Undernutrition is the most widespread form of malnutrition in Ethiopia, manifesting primarily as stunting, wasting, and being underweight.

Stunting (Chronic Malnutrition)

Stunting is defined as low height-for-age and indicates a history of chronic or recurrent undernutrition. It is often a result of poor socioeconomic conditions, inadequate maternal health and nutrition, and frequent illness during early childhood. Stunting hinders a child’s physical and cognitive potential, with consequences lasting into adulthood. Prevalence varies regionally, with rural areas showing higher rates.

Wasting (Acute Malnutrition)

Wasting refers to low weight-for-height and indicates acute malnutrition from recent food insecurity or illness. Severe wasting is linked to increased risk of death in young children. UNICEF has treated many children for severe wasting, especially during droughts. Ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) is vital for treating severe wasting.

Underweight (Combined Acute and Chronic Malnutrition)

Underweight, or low weight-for-age, reflects both acute and chronic malnutrition and tracks overall nutritional trends. A child can be underweight due to wasting, stunting, or both.

Micronutrient Deficiencies

Micronutrient-related malnutrition ('hidden hunger') affects many in Ethiopia, particularly children and pregnant women. Common deficiencies include iron, vitamin A, iodine, and zinc.

Iron Deficiency Anemia (IDA): Affects children and women, reducing performance and increasing mortality risks. Low intake of animal foods contributes.
Vitamin A Deficiency (VAD): Impairs immunity, increases infection susceptibility, and can cause childhood blindness. Supplementation targets vulnerable groups.
Iodine Deficiency Disorder (IDD): Affects cognitive development and causes goiter. Universal salt iodization helps control it.
Zinc Deficiency: Essential for growth and immunity, deficiency can worsen diarrhea and pneumonia in young children.

Overnutrition (Obesity and Overweight)

A nutritional transition is increasing overnutrition, especially in urban areas. This is linked to high-calorie diets and sedentary lifestyles. Studies show concerning rates of overweight and obesity in urban adolescents due to fast foods and inactivity. Overnutrition raises the risk of diet-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

The Double Burden of Malnutrition

Ethiopia experiences the 'double burden' where undernutrition and overnutrition coexist, sometimes in the same household or individual who may be overweight but micronutrient deficient. This necessitates integrated interventions addressing both extremes.

Comparison of Major Malnutrition Types


Feature	Stunting (Chronic)	Wasting (Acute)	Micronutrient Deficiencies	Overnutrition (Obesity)
Cause	Long-term inadequate nutrition, illness, poverty	Recent and severe weight loss from famine or infection	Lack of specific vitamins and minerals like iron, Vit A, iodine	Excessive calorie intake and limited physical activity
Indicator	Low height-for-age	Low weight-for-height	Lack of vital vitamins and minerals	High BMI for age/sex
Timeframe	Long-term impact on growth and development	Short-term indicator of recent distress	Chronic or acute depending on nutrient	Increasingly prevalent over time due to lifestyle changes
Vulnerable Groups	Children under five, women	Children under five, women	Children, pregnant and lactating women	Adolescents, urban populations
Key Impact	Impaired physical and cognitive development	High risk of mortality in children	Weakened immune system, poor development, eye damage	Increased risk of diabetes, heart disease

Causes of Malnutrition in Ethiopia

Malnutrition is caused by immediate factors like poor diet and illness; underlying issues such as food shortages, inadequate care, and poor sanitation; and basic factors like poverty, conflict, and climate change.

Government and Partner Interventions

Ethiopia's government and partners use strategies to combat malnutrition:

National policies: Including a Food and Nutrition Strategy and the National Nutrition Programme (NNP).
Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM): Manages severe acute malnutrition at the community level.
Dietary Diversification: Promotes varied, nutritious food consumption.
Supplementation: Provides vitamin A, iron, and folic acid to vulnerable groups.

Conclusion

Malnutrition in Ethiopia is a complex challenge including undernutrition and rising overnutrition. Despite progress through interventions, factors like poverty, climate shocks, and conflict persist as drivers. A sustained, multi-sectoral approach addressing all causes is crucial. For more information, see the World Bank's report on Combating Malnutrition in Ethiopia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stunting is low height-for-age, indicating chronic or long-term undernutrition. Wasting is low weight-for-height, showing recent, acute weight loss due to starvation or disease.

The most vulnerable groups are children under five, and pregnant and lactating women. Children are at risk for stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies, while women often suffer from undernutrition and anemia.

Yes, overnutrition, including overweight and obesity, is an increasing public health concern, especially among urban populations and adolescents, creating a 'double burden of malnutrition'.

Causes include immediate factors like poor dietary intake and diseases; underlying factors such as food insecurity, poor sanitation, and inadequate childcare; and basic factors like poverty, climate change, and conflict.

Common deficiencies include a lack of iron (leading to anemia), vitamin A (affecting immune function and vision), iodine (impacting cognitive development), and zinc.

Interventions include the Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), promotion of dietary diversification, supplementation programs for vitamins and minerals, and food fortification initiatives.

Drought exacerbates food insecurity by causing crop failures and livestock loss, leading to widespread hunger and worsening malnutrition, particularly wasting.