determinants in this context, as illustrated in Figure 5, is helpful for identifying opportunities for action as well as potential barriers to their effectiveness. To date, few low- and middle-income countries have such in-depth analyses of the determinants of overweight in children needed to inform comprehensive approaches to addressing it.
Conclusion
Through the Sustainable Development Goals, the world has set the ambitious aim to achieve food security and end malnutrition in all its forms by 2030 [42]. Progress to achieving this goal for children is lagging, and the global prevalence of stunting, wasting, overweight, and micronutrient malnutrition remains unacceptably high. Several countries have made progress to address stunting, but many are unlikely to achieve the targets unless progress is accelerated substantially [7]. Childhood overweight is increasing in most regions, and with the limited data available, little progress has been made to addressing micronutrient malnutrition. Equally concerning is the lack of up-to-date representative data of the magnitude and distribution of malnutrition in all its forms and their determinants at national and subnational level. Beyond simply tracking progress, a more profound understanding of the contextual etiology of the various forms of malnutrition is urgently needed to inform effective action.
Disclosure Statement
The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.
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