STUNTING in young children - the height of inequality
1
Division of Human Nutrition, Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Parow, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Department of Economics, Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A1373
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT:
Over the past two decades, nutrition has gained prominence on the development agenda. Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims to eliminate all forms of malnutrition, including a key objective to cut the number of stunted children under five by 40% by 2030. Issues of malnutrition in general, including main causes, challenges, and interventions are now more comprehensively understood by multiple stakeholders across different sectors at global and national levels. Despite evidence on effective interventions, growing political commitment, and financial investments, millions of women and children still, however, suffer from malnutrition, including stunting. Although stunting has been declining steadily since the year 2000 at a global level, faster progress is needed to reach the global target. In 2022, nearly all stunted children lived in Asia and Africa (52% and 43% of the global share, respectively). Addressing malnutrition in general and stunting in particular, is complex because it intersects with multiple sectors such as nutrition, health, agriculture, livelihoods, economic growth, education, and water, sanitation, and hygiene. Biological and environmental factors influence stunting, but strong political will is essential to ensure effective policy execution and adequate resource allocation. Meaningful progress therefore depends on multisectoral strategies supported by coordinated and consistent policy efforts across various sectors. In this session we propose a general introduction of childhood stunting (10 min), followed by a panel discussion on the factors and interventions that address stunted growth in young children (35 minutes). Panel members will represent various sectors, including government, academia, civil society and the private sector. Topics will include measuring stunting and tracking trends, indicators and priority interventions to address stunting. Emerging evidence on parental absence, air pollution and the role of the microbiome in stunting will also be given prominence. The panel discussion will be followed by a 15-minute participant engagement session with questions, answers and debate.
Over the past two decades, nutrition has gained prominence on the development agenda. Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims to eliminate all forms of malnutrition, including a key objective to cut the number of stunted children under five by 40% by 2030. Issues of malnutrition in general, including main causes, challenges, and interventions are now more comprehensively understood by multiple stakeholders across different sectors at global and national levels. Despite evidence on effective interventions, growing political commitment, and financial investments, millions of women and children still, however, suffer from malnutrition, including stunting. Although stunting has been declining steadily since the year 2000 at a global level, faster progress is needed to reach the global target. In 2022, nearly all stunted children lived in Asia and Africa (52% and 43% of the global share, respectively). Addressing malnutrition in general and stunting in particular, is complex because it intersects with multiple sectors such as nutrition, health, agriculture, livelihoods, economic growth, education, and water, sanitation, and hygiene. Biological and environmental factors influence stunting, but strong political will is essential to ensure effective policy execution and adequate resource allocation. Meaningful progress therefore depends on multisectoral strategies supported by coordinated and consistent policy efforts across various sectors. In this session we propose a general introduction of childhood stunting (10 min), followed by a panel discussion on the factors and interventions that address stunted growth in young children (35 minutes). Panel members will represent various sectors, including government, academia, civil society and the private sector. Topics will include measuring stunting and tracking trends, indicators and priority interventions to address stunting. Emerging evidence on parental absence, air pollution and the role of the microbiome in stunting will also be given prominence. The panel discussion will be followed by a 15-minute participant engagement session with questions, answers and debate.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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