UNICEF focuses on 'Children, Food and Nutrition' in its The State of the World’s Children Report 2019
Kolkata/IBNS: For its The State of the World’s Children 2019, UNICEF has focused on the theme Children, Food and Nutrition, given the importance of healthy diets, especially among children and young people.
According to the report, poor diets are damaging children’s health, and that poverty, urbanization, climate change and poor eating choices are driving unhealthy diets.
Said Mohammad Mohiuddin, Chief, UNICEF Office for West Bengal, “The report we have released today provides a comprehensive assessment of 21st century child malnutrition in all its forms. Children across the world are facing a triple burden of malnutrition in the form of undernutrition (stunting and wasting), hidden hunger (deficiencies in micronutrients) and overweight (including obesity). Despite all the technological, cultural and social advances of the last few decades, we have lost sight of this most basic fact: If children eat poorly, they live poorly,”
The report was formally launched by Dr. Shashi Panja, West Bengal Minister of State, Women and Child Development and Social Welfare department, at a programme in Kolkata, recently.
Farheen Khurshid (UNICEF Nutrition Specialist), Mitali Palodhi (nutritionist and dietician), Kaninika Mitra (UNICEF health specialist) and Moumita Dastidar (Communication Specialist, UNICEF) were also present.
A brief presentation on the report highlighted the changes that are affecting the nutritional habits of children.
At present, the world is facing a triple burden of malnutrition: acute and chronic undernutrition, overweight and hidden hunger – or deficiencies of vitamins and mineral.
The SOWC report calls for a shift in the way we address and respond to malnutrition: It is not just about giving children enough food to eat – it is mostly about giving them the right food to eat.
Twenty students from a learning centre, Community Action Society, were also invited to the event.
A panel discussion with the chief guests took place where several problems regarding health, nutrition and food habits were discussed followed by an interactive session with the students.
(Reporting by Dhristi Shah)
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