Global Efforts Fall Short in Reducing Childhood Wasting Worldwide

Despite ongoing interventions, the global rate of childhood wasting remains a significant public health challenge, with progress moving at a sluggish pace. Wasting, characterized by low weight-for-height, is a critical indicator of acute malnutrition in children under five, and it greatly increases the risk of mortality if left untreated. Recent evaluations by public health experts from the University of Adelaide highlight that only about 19% of countries are on track to meet the World Health Assembly's goal of reducing wasting prevalence below 5% by 2025.

Malnutrition contributed to approximately 12.6% of all deaths among children under five years old globally. In 2018 alone, around 16.6 million children suffered from severe acute malnutrition, underlining the severity of the issue. Factors contributing to childhood wasting include maternal malnutrition, which can lead to low birth weight and prematurity, as well as inadequate infant feeding practices, limited healthcare access, food insecurity, and unsanitary living conditions.

Additionally, wasting is closely linked to infectious diseases such as diarrhea and pneumonia, which further amplify mortality risks. To better understand effective responses, researchers reviewed 24 international studies focusing on food-based interventions and supplements. The findings suggest that community-based nutrition programs, including maternal and child supplementation, breastfeeding promotion, and infant nutrition education, can positively impact reducing wasting.

Specifically, lipid-based nutrient supplements like Plumpy'doz significantly reduced wasting cases and improved growth indicators such as weight-for-age and mid-upper arm circumference. Fortified blended foods, including Corn Soy Blend ++ and Wheat Soy Blend ++, administered to children aged 6-18 months, alongside supplements for mothers, were associated with nearly a 50% decrease in wasting prevalence. The first 1,000 days from conception through early childhood are deemed a critical window for establishing lifelong health and development, emphasizing the importance of timely intervention.

This systematic review underscores the urgent need for scaled-up nutritional strategies to combat childhood wasting globally. Achieving meaningful progress requires concerted efforts to address underlying causes and improve responsiveness of interventions, especially in low-to-middle-income countries. Continued research and policy focus are essential to accelerate reduction in wasting and ensure healthier futures for vulnerable children.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-global-childhood-sufficiently.html