Reducing Malnutrition in Zambia: Summary of Estimates to Support Nutrition Advocacy

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), good nutrition plays a crucial role in people's health and wellbeing, while poor nutrition can lead to poor health and impaired physical and mental development. In Zambia, the high prevalence of HIV among women, particularly those who are HIV positive, compounds the risk of HIV transmission to their children and increases their risk of death. The impact of the malnutrition-infection cycle on the immune system is particularly important in countries like Zambia, where HIV prevalence is high. The high prevalence of HIV among women not only increases their risk of death but also affects their ability to provide adequate nutrition to their children. Without antiretroviral therapy (ART), 50 percent of HIV-positive children will die by their second birthday. Zambia has low coverage of pediatric ART, reaching only 33 percent of at-risk children. Malnutrition in Zambia is characterized by a high prevalence of stunting and anaemia, as well as suboptimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices. According to the Zambia Demographic and Health Survey (ZDHS) 2013-14, 51 percent of children aged 24-59 months are stunted, while 60 percent of children aged 6-59 months are anaemic. The prevalence of overweight children is also a concern, with 3 percent of children aged 48-59 months being overweight. The PROFILES project, a set of computer-based models, was used to calculate the consequences of malnutrition in Zambia. The project compared two scenarios: a status quo scenario, where no change is expected in the current situation, and an improved scenario, where effective nutrition interventions are implemented at scale. The results of the PROFILES estimates show that if no action is taken to address malnutrition, the number of stunted children in Zambia is expected to increase by 10 percent by 2026, while the number of anaemic children is expected to increase by 12 percent. The PROFILES estimates also show that if effective nutrition interventions are implemented, the number of stunted children in Zambia can be reduced by 15 percent by 2026, while the number of anaemic children can be reduced by 18 percent. The estimates also suggest that the economic benefits of addressing malnutrition in Zambia can be significant, with an estimated economic gain of $1.3 billion by 2026. The Zambia Nutrition PROFILES 2017 estimates were generated through a collaborative effort between FANTA, the National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC), and the Ministry of Health (MOH). The estimates were based on a 10-year time period, starting in 2017 and running through 2026, and used data from the ZDHS 2013-14, the 2014 Zambia Food Consumption & Micronutrient Survey, the 2015 Zambia Malaria Indicator Survey, and the Zambia Labour Force Survey 2014. The PROFILES estimates provide a valuable tool for policymakers and stakeholders to understand the magnitude of the problem of malnutrition in Zambia and the potential benefits of addressing it. The estimates can inform the development of effective nutrition interventions and policies to address malnutrition in Zambia, ultimately contributing to improved health, wellbeing, and economic productivity of the country's citizens.