Malnutrition on the rise in Tanzania

Tanzania is among the top countries in the world experiencing serious levels of malnutrition, from stunting to obesity, despite being among 12 countries that receive more than half of all global nutrition funding, according to the new Global Nutrition Report.

The report, launched Tuesday around the world shows that nearly 40 per cent of women of reproductive age in Tanzania are anemic, meaning they do not get enough iron. In pregnant women, anemia can lead to maternal death and cause still and premature births as well as low birth weight.

Of the countries assessed in the report, Tanzania has the lowest coverage rate of iron supplementation in children under five.

The report also shows that nearly 26% of Tanzania’s adult population is overweight, putting them at higher risk for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. These not only take an economic toll on families but on the nation at large.

Source: The Citizen