Agency A United Nations Children’s Fund report has shown that Nigeria has demonstrated a steady decline in the number of children facing severe food poverty from 45 per cent in 2012 to 32 per cent in 2022. UNICEF in a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, noted that the report titled, ‘Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood’, published on Friday, also stated that about 11 million children or one in every three children under five years of age, in the country are presently experiencing severe child food poverty. It further noted that the situation could make the children up to 50 per cent more likely to experience wasting, a life-threatening form of malnutrition.
UNICEF stated, “For the first time, the “Child Food Poverty: Nutrition Deprivation in Early Childhood” report analyses the impacts and causes of dietary deprivation among the world’s youngest and most vulnerable, that is children under five years of age, in nearly 100 countries, and across income groups. “Globally, 181 million children under the age of five who consume, at most, two of eight defined food groups are considered in severe child food poverty and unable to sustain optimal growth and development in early childhood and beyond. “Nigeria ranks among the 20 countries that account for almost two-thirds (65 per cent) of the 181 million children living in severe child food poverty.
” According to the body, the report also showed that globally, four out of five children exper.
