Children’s growth in the country is revealing a concerning picture of nutrition that extends beyond mere food shortages. UNICEF Pacific Nutrition Manager Penjani Kamu-doni has highlighted that malnutrition is manifesting in various forms, severely impacting children’s physical and cognitive development.
Kamu-doni pointed out that a significant number of children are not achieving their expected height or developmental milestones, a condition referred to as stunting. “While we focus on stunting, it’s important to recognize that the underlying causes are similar across different forms of malnutrition. They relate to the type and adequate content of food available,” she explained.
Additionally, many children are becoming overweight or obese, indicating an unhealthy pattern of growth where they are gaining more weight than appropriate for their age. Concurrently, there are also children who are significantly underweight for their height, reflecting clear nutritional deficiencies.
UNICEF emphasizes that considering these three forms of malnutrition together reveals a troubling trend in child nutrition in Fiji. This situation calls for urgent attention as it highlights the multifaceted nature of malnutrition affecting growth trends among children. Addressing these issues is imperative to ensure the healthy development of the nation’s youth, paving the way for a stronger future generation.
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