AMMAN: In the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), at least 77 million children, or 1 in 3, suffer from some form of malnutrition, according to a new UNICEF report launched in Amman. The report reveals that 55 million children in the region are overweight or obese, a growing issue among school-aged children in all 20 countries.
Additionally, 24 million children are affected by undernutrition, which includes stunting, wasting, and thinness. Despite progress over the past 20 years in reducing stunting—a sign of chronic undernutrition—10 million children under 5 years old still suffer from it.
UNICEF Regional Director Adele Khodr highlighted the “triple burden” of malnutrition in MENA, which is hampering children’s growth and future potential. This situation is worsened by ongoing conflicts, political instability, climate shocks, and rising food prices, which limit access to nutritious food and humanitarian aid.
The report also notes that women of child-bearing age in the region face similar challenges, with 9 million women underweight and 114 million (68%) living with overweight or obesity. In 17 MENA countries, over 60% of adult women are overweight or obese, far above the global average of 45%.
Also read: 68 Million Suffering from Drought in Southern Africa, Says Regional Bloc
UNICEF’s Regional Strategic Direction for Nutrition in MENA divides the region into four clusters, each with tailored strategies to address specific nutritional challenges. Khodr emphasized the need for strong, sustainable food systems and accessible, affordable nutrition services to ensure that every child in the region has access to nutritious food by the end of the decade.
