The rising burden of malnutrition is likely to worsen with the growing challenge of climate change.
The Chief programme officer Helen Keller International Shawn Baker on Wednesday said the ongoing crisis of the climate change is destabilizing every system that families rely on to nourish them.
Baker who doubles up as the vice chairperson at the Micronutrient Forum spoke during the ongoing 4th national nutrition symposium in Nairobi.
The official further noted that socio economic inequalities persist as a major determinant of malnutrition between and within countries.
“Families who are faced by higher food prices have to make the difficult choice of just buying staples and foregoing notorious foods because they have to fill their empty bellies with calories because notorious food is not affordable,” he said.
He said the most recent data estimates that globally 3.1 billion people cannot afford healthy diet.
In lower and middle income countries, only 19 per cent of children get a minimum of acceptable diet due to social inequities.
“A five per cent increase in food prices translates into a nine per cent increase in wasting and it is those families who are the poorest who have the biggest impacts,” he warned.
The expert noted that despite there existing life-saving solutions to treat children who are wasted, globally only 20 to 25 per cent of children are getting screened and treated.
He however noted that Kenya represents all the potential Africa has to make a change noting that the country has the human resources, the systems to deliver and the political will.
“I am convinced that with these ingredients Kenya has the potential to show what it means to end malnutrition,” he said.
