A groundbreaking study published in BMJ Global Health has uncovered a significant burden of malnutrition among infants under six months (u6m) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The research, led by experts from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and the Emergency Nutrition Network (ENN), highlights critical gaps in global nutrition and health programs and calls for urgent action to improve infant health outcomes.
Key Findings: A Hidden Crisis
The study, analyzing data from 56 countries, found that:
- 17.4% of infants u6m are underweight (WAZ < -2).
- 15.5% are wasted (WLZ < -2), and 19.9% are stunted (LAZ < -2).
- 15% were born with low birth weight (LBW).
- Extrapolated globally, this means approximately 10.3 million underweight infants, 9.2 million wasted infants, and 11.8 million stunted infants in LMICs.
The study also found that underweight (WAZ) is a more reliable indicator for malnutrition programs than wasting (WLZ), due to better data quality and stronger links to health risks.
Why This Matters
Malnutrition in early infancy increases risks of death, impaired growth, and long-term health complications. Current guidelines focus on wasting as the main criterion for malnutrition treatment, but the study suggests underweight should be prioritized due to its stronger association with infant and maternal health risks.