title: Is malnutrition declining? An analysis of changes in levels of child malnutrition since 1980.
abstract: Nutritional status is the best global indicator of well-being in children. Although many surveys of children have been conducted since the 1970s, lack of comparability between them has made it difficult to monitor trends in child malnutrition. Cross-sectional data from 241 nationally representative surveys were analysed in a standard way to produce comparable results of low height-for-age (stunting). Multilevel modelling was applied to estimate regional and global trends from 1980 to 2005. The prevalence of stunting has fallen in developing countries from 47% in 1980 to 33% in 2000 (i.e. by 40 million), although progress has been uneven according to regions. Stunting has increased in Eastern Africa, but decreased in South-eastern Asia, South-central Asia and South America; Northern Africa and the Caribbean show modest improvement; and Western Africa and Central America present very little progress. Despite an overall decrease of stunting in developing countries, child malnutrition still remains a major public health problem in these countries. In some countries rates of stunting are rising, while in many others they remain disturbingly high. The data we have presented provide a baseline for assessing progress and help identify countries and regions in need of populationwide interventions. Approaches to lower child malnutrition should be based on successful nutrition programmes and policies.
authors: Department of Nutrition for Health and Development, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. deonism@who.ch
authors: M
authors: M
authors: de Onis
authors: E A
authors: EA
authors: Frongillo
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Blössner
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000639:trends*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*