Malnutrition and poor diet of a significant part of the population of the African continent is one of the most serious problems that this territory suffers. In this article, we will tell you why there is so much malnutrition in Africa, what are its consequences and what organisms try to end this condition.

Below you have an index with all the points that we are going to deal with in this article.

Article Index

Malnutrition in Africa: images, causes and consequences

Causes and consequences

Malnutrition is a serious disease caused by lack of food intake and, in some cases, by the inability to absorb nutrients from food. Therefore, it is directly related to hunger.



The factors that we can find behind the existence of this disorder are the following:

  • Unstable political situation
  • Wars
  • Food insecurity
  • Lack of health and sanitation
  • Low education about good nutrition
  • Inadequate diet
  • Poverty

These aspects are notably present on the African continent, as you can read in this article: Trouble in Africa.

The main consequence of malnutrition is that the body does not have the nutrients that are needed for the proper functioning of the body. This makes the immune system weak and, therefore, other diseases can be triggered. Also, the organs do not work properly.

On a mental level, the lack of a correct diet also prevents children from developing correct learning. Likewise, concentration and reaction problems are suffered.

The most serious consequence is death. What's more: 45% of deaths of children under five years of age are due to this fact, which means the death of 3,1 million children per year.

In Africa, this problem affects a large part of the population, especially the very young. This fact is a catastrophe that prevents the proper development of the continent.

The types of malnutrition that we can find in this territory are the following:

Sharp
it can be moderate or severe. It is the lack of weight in relation to height, which leads to extreme thinness.
Crónica
the delay in height taking into account age.
Global enviroment
It is a deficiency in weight weight in relation to age.

Statistics

In eastern and southern Africa we find around 23,8 million people suffering from severe acute malnutrition. In the case of sub-Saharan Africa, 214% of the population suffers from this disease, a percentage that translates into XNUMX million cases.



It is understood as Sub-Saharan Africa the set of African countries that do not border the Mediterranean Sea.

According to the WFP (World Food Program), the highest risk of famine is in South Sudan, Somalia and northeast Nigeria. Furthermore, in Malawi and Zimbabwe we find a high level of food insecurity.

Taking into account the data provided by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), Sub-Saharan Africa is the area with the highest level of food insecurity in the World.

In relation to this, between 2000 and 2015, lagged growth decreased in all regions of the world (which arises from malnutrition), except in sub-Saharan Africa, where it increased from 47 to 58 million.

On the other hand, in Central Africa food insecurity stands out, especially in the countries located around Lake Chad: Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

If you want more information about child malnutrition on this continent, we recommend you visit the following article: Current situation of child malnutrition in Africa.

Organizations

Some NGOs (non-governmental organizations) are fighting to end malnutrition on the African continent. These are always open to the help of anyone who wants to collaborate.

Among them we find Doctors Without Borders, Action Against Hunger, Intermon Oxfam and S, which focuses its work on the youngest.

Furthermore, the Organization of the United Nations It has several agencies and departments involved with this issue, among which are the following:

  • UNDP (United Nations Development Program)
  • UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)
  • FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
  • WFP (World Food Program)

This article has been shared 700 times. We have spent many hours collecting this information. If you liked it, share it, please: