Childhood malnutrition in Namibia

Abstract

2012 Nutrition country profile. HDI ranking: 128th out of 182 countries, Life expectancy: 61 years, Life time risk of maternal death: 1 in 1702 Under-five mortality rate: 42 per 1,000 live births, Global ranking of stunting prevalence: 56th highest out of 136 countries. Over one-third of child deaths are due to under nutrition mostly from increased severity of disease. Children who are undernourished between conception and age two are at high risk for impaired cognitive development, which adversely affects the country’s productivity and growth. Survey in 2012 shows 29% of children under the age of five are stunted, 17% are underweight, 8% are wasted and 16% of infants are born with a low birth weight.