Tag: Sub saharan africa

An estimated 17% of the global population is at risk of inadequate zinc intake, particularly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries. This essential mineral deficiency, or 'hidden hunger,' disproportionately affects vulnerable communities due to dietary habits, poor soil quality, and limited access to diverse, nutritious foods.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a public health problem in more than half of all countries, with the highest prevalence in regions like Africa and South-East Asia. A significant portion of young children and pregnant women in low-income settings are particularly vulnerable to this widespread nutritional issue.

Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest rates of vitamin A deficiency in the world, with one study from 2015 estimating the prevalence at 48% among children under five. This severe micronutrient deficiency, which is a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness, is the result of a complex interplay of socioeconomic, dietary, and environmental factors.

According to the World Health Organization, vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is a significant public health problem in more than half of all countries, primarily in Africa and South-East Asia. This critical micronutrient deficiency affects millions, especially young children and pregnant women, and is linked to severe health issues, including blindness and increased mortality.

According to the FAO, nearly 20% of Africa's population was undernourished in 2022, a figure that masks far higher rates in specific sub-regions and countries where 1 in 3 people in Sub-Saharan Africa are undernourished. This crisis is driven by a complex interplay of environmental, political, and economic factors.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), roughly 673 million people went hungry in 2024, with low-income economies disproportionately affected. This global hunger crisis is directly linked to malnutrition, with a significant part of the problem stemming from protein deficiency. This report analyzes which country has more protein deficiency, examining the contributing factors and the regions most in need of nutritional support.

According to UNICEF, 6.6% of children under 5 suffered from wasting in 2024, highlighting the persistent global challenge of malnutrition. The crisis is not evenly distributed, with certain regions and countries bearing a disproportionately heavy burden of this public health emergency.

According to the World Bank, undernutrition affects hundreds of millions of people globally, with the burden falling heaviest on specific regions. This persistent issue, measured by indicators like stunting and wasting, continues to pose a significant obstacle to human development and well-being.

In 2024, an estimated 307 million people in Africa faced hunger, representing over 20% of the continent's population and making Africa the region with the highest prevalence of hunger globally. The situation contrasts starkly with other areas, where hunger rates are often much lower or even declining. This persistent crisis is a complex issue driven by a combination of factors including conflict, climate change, and economic instability.

Reports indicate geophagia is most prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly among pregnant women, but this intentional consumption of earth or soil-like substances occurs globally and is linked to a variety of complex factors. While a global practice, certain geographical areas exhibit significantly higher rates of geophagia due to a complex interplay of environmental, cultural, nutritional, and medicinal factors.