Egypt is among the countries confronting the simultaneous challenge of both undernutrition and overnutrition. Around 14% of the Egyptian population experience food insecurity, with the country ranking 57th out of 121 nations on the 2023 Global Hunger Index. This position indicates a moderate incidence of hunger. Moreover, approximately 40% of Egyptian adult population is obese, while around 18% of children under the age of 5 are obese and 22% are stunted (impaired growth, short for their age). This co-existence of multiple forms of malnutrition is known as the double burden of malnutrition, a compounding issue for Egyptian public health & safety.
Food security in the Arab Region: The double burden of malnutrition
Roula Majdalani, UN-ESCWA
Undernutrition, a type of malnutrition, results from inadequate quantity and quality of food, which manifests itself in underweight in the general population, or stunting and wasting in children below 5 years of age. The prevalence of undernourishment, notably in the Arab Least Developed Countries (LDC) including Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, and Mauritania, has been discussed at length, with a looming famine crisis unfolding in the case of Yemen.
News: Investing in Evidence to End Hunger: A Closer Look at National Opportunities
New evidence continues to signal a rise in world hunger and a reversal of trends after a prolonged decline. In 2017, the number of undernourished people is estimated to have increased to 821 million – around one out of every nine people in the world. The alarming signs of increasing food insecurity and high levels of different forms of malnutrition are a clear warning that there is considerable work to be done to make sure we “leave no one behind” on the road towards achieving SDG 2. Achieving it requires renewed efforts through new and innovative ways of working and hinges on effective partnership.
Food Security at the UN General Assembly 2018: Three take-away messages
Nadim Khouri, Independent Researcher - The World Bank
The annual meeting of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) is an opportunity for the leaders of all countries around the World, and their high-levels officers, to discuss specific themes, exchange ideas and agree on priorities at the global, regional or bi-lateral levels. This year’s UNGA meeting had as a general theme: “Making the United Nations Relevant to All People”.
No Child Should Ever Be Malnourished
June 28, 2017 By: Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Share URL There is nothing more painful, debilitating and cruel than a child suffering from malnutrition. I have met far too many malnourished children - from tiny babies whose bones protrude through their skin to toddlers who are stunted because […]
