KEY POINTS
- A significant proportion of Zimbabwean children suffer from malnutrition, impacting their health and development.
- These initiatives provide essential nutrients to children, improving attendance and learning outcomes.
- Programs like Care Groups educate families on nutrition, leading to better health practices.
A socioeconomic challenge like malnutrition is still a critical issue that affects children in Zimbabwe and impacts of malnutrition are reflected on the child’s health, growth, and development.
As a result, various nutrition programs have been developed to counter this problem focusing on methods to enhance nutrient consumption, decrease the prevalence of malnutrition and infant malnutrition as well as enhance the growth of the children.
Prevalence of malnutrition among Zimbabwean children
According to the 2022 Zimbabwe Vulnerability Assessment (ZimVAC), wasting (acute malnutrition) has increased since COVID-19, with approximately 15,000 children now treated for severe wasting every year.
Despite improvements in the last ten years, nearly one out of four Zimbabwean children (23.5 percent or over half a million) are stunted (chronically malnourished) and do not grow and develop to their full potential.
Implementation of school feeding programs
School feeding programmes have served a very vital purpose by increasing children’s dietary intake and performance.
They feed the students, and make sure that they get food that is important in their development and in school. For example, the WFP implemented school feeding programmes in Zimbabwe where large numbers of children receive food in areas of food insecurity.
Such programs have interestingly caused improvement in school attendance and concentration amongst students.
Community-based nutrition interventions
Community-based programs, such as Care Groups, have been implemented to promote maternal and child nutrition.
These groups consist of community volunteers who educate families on proper nutrition practices, breastfeeding, and hygiene.
The Amalima program in rural Zimbabwe utilized Care Groups to improve nutrition outcomes, resulting in increased knowledge and adoption of recommended practices among mothers.
Challenges in addressing child malnutrition
Despite these efforts, challenges persist in combating child malnutrition in Zimbabwe. Factors such as food insecurity, economic instability, and limited access to healthcare services hinder the effectiveness of nutrition programs.
Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, leading to disruptions in program implementation and increased vulnerability among children.
Future directions for nutrition programs
In the effort to maximize the effectiveness of nutrition programs several strategies are required.
These include, enhancing community participation, enhancing access to appropriate and healthy foods and enhancing linkages to other health services through nutrition interventions.
Government and non government organisation and international partners should come up with sustainable interventions to address child malnutrition in Zimbabwe.
