One in Five Nepali Children Under 5 Suffer Moderate Acute Malnutrition, Survey Data Suggests

A stark reality is unfolding across Nepal as a nationwide nutrition assessment campaign reveals alarming rates of malnutrition among young children. Preliminary data indicate that nearly one-fifth of children under five are suffering from moderate acute malnutrition, a condition that signifies recent significant weight loss or failure to gain weight. This silent crisis, which has plagued Nepal for decades, is exacerbated by poor dietary habits, including a worrying rise in the consumption of processed and junk foods, even in remote areas.

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They told me that the school management committee had unanimously decided to provide noodles and biscuits as a part of mid-day meal.

Public health experts like Dr. Aruna Uprety have observed firsthand the extent of the problem, encountering situations where schoolchildren are fed noodles and biscuits instead of nutritious local food. The common refrain from parents, questioning how often their children should eat locally made food at home and school, underscores a complex interplay of factors contributing to malnutrition. The issue is particularly severe in marginalized communities, such as Dalit groups in the Madhesh region, where the true scale of nutritional deficiencies and the pervasive use of unhealthy foods are most apparent.

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How many times should their children eat locally made food at home and also in school?

The ongoing survey aims to assess the nutritional status of all children under five, providing crucial data for targeted interventions. However, experts caution that the findings may extend beyond this age group, as poor access to nutritious food affects older populations as well. The growing trend of consuming junk food—processed, packaged items, and sugary drinks—is a significant contributing factor to this worsening public health challenge. For Nepal, addressing malnutrition requires a multi-faceted approach that promotes locally available nutritious foods while tackling the societal shifts leading to increased reliance on unhealthy, processed options.

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If you go to Madhesh and look at children and women from Dalit and other marginalised groups, you can see the true scale of nutrition and the growing use of junk and processed foods.