Biological medium and nutritional health during infancy

In 2015, Africa and Southeast Asia have the highest rates of infant malnutrition, 38 and 33%, respectively. In both regions there are countries with half their under 5s affected by retarded growth by size, like Eritrea (50.3%) y Madagascar (49.2%) in Africa, or Papua Nee Guinea (49.5%) and East Timor (50.2%) in Asia.

In Mozambique, yams are the basis of diet, especially in rural areas where it is grown. Corn, mostly imported, is more expensive and more widely consumed in cities. Food safety has improved globally, but many parts of the country still suffer the consequences of the prolonged war of1977-1992, which created difficulties for agricultural production and destroyed transport infrastructure. Persistent droughts aggravate the situation, especially in the centre and south of the country.

Retarded growth affects 44% of under 5s in Mozambique, reaching 46% in rural areas and 35% in cities.