The proper nutrition at the right time is essential for human health and survival. In Pakistan, nutrition has been a least priority area because of unawareness of public towards proper nutrition and healthy lifestyle. Despite an increase in per capita food availability, calorie and protein intake, the prevalence of malnutrition has not improved over the last 20 years. Pakistan has been reported to have one of the highest prevalence of child and women malnutrition among other developing counties. A high proportion of children in Pakistan were severely stunted (12.5%), severely wasted (2.2%), and severely underweight (6%). Similarly, 24.3 % of urban women have obesity issues due to improper nutrition, while 5.5 % of rural women suffer from underweight issues due to malnutrition. Only 38 percent of children are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life. As a result, more than half the children under five years of age are deficient in vitamin A, 40 percent are deficient in both zinc and vitamin D, and nearly 62 percent are anemic. The main risk factors for a child’s poor nutritional status include low household wealth, impure food in urban residences, and mothers’ less awareness about nutrition.
Nutrient deficiencies are propagated by multiple factors like dietary insufficiencies of micronutrients, poor maternal & child health, and a high burden of morbidity, resulting in growth retardation, mental impairment and various types of physical disabilities. The current scenario demands serious efforts with strong social support to strengthen the nutritional training and education for vulnerable groups of society such as children, elderly pregnant and lactating women, and disabled individuals. In addition, we should also develop long term and sustainable approaches to prevent and cure diseases by educating the generation about the importance of nutrition, diet planning and therapy.
