It’s time for RESULTS. It’s time to end malnutrition #MyRoadToRio @ResultsCda
Malnutrition is the single largest contributor to disease in the world. In 2015, malnutrition (severe acute malnutrition, acute malnutrition diarrhea and hidden hunger) accounted for about 45% of deaths of children under the age of 5 globally. Undernourishment can lead to a 10% loss of individual earnings and an 11% loss of annual GDP by the time those affected reach adulthood. These are some staggering statistics. Fortunately, each of us has the ability to help effect change.
By focusing on the first 1000 days of life (from conception to a child’s 2nd birthday), we can help end the cycle of malnutrition. If a child survives to their second birthday, there is a much greater chance for their survival. Sometimes it means simply educating women around the world on the benefits of breastfeeding, proper nutrition and hygiene. I was fortunate to learn about this at the recent Voices that Change the World conference in Ottawa, Ontario.
Malnutrition is the underlying cause of nearly half of all deaths among children under the age of five worldwide, yet only receives 1% of Canada’s development aid.
This summer, RESULTS Canada is calling on Canadians across the country to use their collective voice to motivate world leaders to pledge their political and financial support for ending global malnutrition. To generate momentum for this fight, world leaders will kick-start a series of opportunities for countries like Canada to show their leadership. This will take place on August 4th—the eve of the 2016 Olympics.
I recently interviewed RESULTS volunteer Chitra Ramaswami on the subject of malnutrition. “I grew up in India. When I was a small child, I would sometimes see little children suffering from rickets. I learned that it was due to Vitamin D deficiency and it seemed unfair to me. We need to raise public awareness of global malnutrition and the impact it has on the health of the poor. We can start by understanding how much of our overall good health we owe to the abundance of nutritious food in this country.”
Road to Rio is a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign that will help RESULTS Canada raise $50,000 to fund its advocacy work. This challenge will demonstrate Canadians’ support for ending malnutrition worldwide and help ensure that every child has a healthy start in life.
Those taking the challenge will walk, run, and roll a collective 9,000 kilometres (the distance between Ottawa and Rio de Janeiro) by August 4th, while asking friends and family to donate to RESULTS Canada along the way.
According to Results Canada, “Undernutrition keeps people from reaching their full potential. Undernourished children underperform in school, limiting their future job opportunities. Undernourished adults are less able to work, contribute to local economies, and provide care for their families. Undernourished mothers are more likely to have underweight children, who will in turn have a higher risk of physical and cognitive impairment. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and economic stagnation.”
Here are general statistics about malnutrition and undernutrition:
- On average, global nutrition-specific programming accounts for only 1% of official development assistance, while malnutrition plays a role in the deaths of 45% of all children under the age of five worldwide
- Undernutrition and micronutrient deficiencies cost up to USD$2.1 trillion per year to the global economy
- 870 million people face chronic hunger
- 793 million people are undernourished globally (macro- and micro-nutrient deficiencies)
- 159 million children are affected by stunting (low height-for-age), which leads to weaker immune systems and diminished cognitive capacities
- 50 million children are affected by wasting (low weight-for-height). Children with severe wasting are 11 times more likely to die than their healthy counterparts
When asked what advice would you give to Canadians who are looking to make a positive difference in the world, Ramaswami responded: “Be inspired, be engaged, but also learn about the issues. People used to think that giving away food to poor countries would solve world hunger, but that turned [out] to be the wrong thing to do.”
Hope exists. Ramaswami is encouraged by the progress that has taken place. “Between 1990 and 2015 the proportion of undernourished people in the world was almost halved. I believe that the momentum is growing to finally eradicate this injustice.”
Results Canada is open to everyone. You do not need to be an expert to make a difference in the world.
DISCLOSURE: This post is sponsored by Social Diversity Media Inc. on behalf of RESULTS Canada. All opinions are my own.
It is very upsetting knowing how many people in this world are malnourished. You should be very proud of yourself for getting involved to make a difference.
This is a great way to spread awareness and start making a change for these kids. Most people associate malnutrition with starvation but don’t think about the diseases that can come with it.
What an awesome campaign to help these children! It breaks my heart to think of anyone, especially kids, that are starving and not eating properly!
Many organizations push to send food to poor countries so hunger in these places can be solved, but it is so much more deeper than that. I have learned so much from reading this article.
This such a great way to help these kids. There NEEDS to be change!!
I love to pay it forward-and teaching our children to do the same is so important. This is a grea campaign to help these kids-I hope you raise alot of awareness
This is such a great campaign. So many children suffer from malnutrition and undernutrition and it’s not commonly talked about.
Such a great campaign to spread awareness on Malnutrition. Even here in our country malnutrition is rampant. I hope government around the world can address this problem.
This is such a great campaign! Thanks for keeping all
of us informed.
I love this idea for supporting children. Malnutrition, I hope you have met your match!!
Hunger is one of these things that tug at my heartstrings. Thanks for bringing awareness to this campaign!
Reading Ramaswami point of view of progress “Between 1990 and 2015 the proportion of undernourished people in the world was almost halved.” gave me hope!
Malnutrition is a huge problem worldwide, and all huge issues take time to solve. Being a now person, sometimes the road to success seems like forever, but with the help of people like those at RESULTS Canada you know that this important topic is in the care of the right people. I will lend my voice and share Road to Rio with all of those around me. Because we if we all gave a tidbit of love towards topics like Malnutrition this world would be a healthier place for everyone.
Such a worthy initiative. I am happy to share this cause because it clearly impacts a huge group of children who are in need of help.