Parents across the globe are a worried lot with their children not getting the proper nutrients they require daily, which leads to malnutrition. Moreover, 21% of children have gone to bed hungry in the last 30 days, a concern shared by parents globally.
Thirty seven per cent parents/guardians express that their children do not receive the proper nutrients they require daily.
A new comprehensive global study conducted by Ipsos on behalf of World Vision International across 16 countries highlights the urgent issue of child hunger and malnutrition. The findings are distressing, shedding light on the plight of children worldwide.
CHILD HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION: A CRITICAL CHALLENGE
- Nearly half (46%) of adults worldwide have worried about their ability to purchase food in the last month. In low-income countries, this concern skyrockets to 77%.
- An overwhelming 59% of parents/guardians are deeply concerned about child hunger and malnutrition in their families, particularly in lower-income countries (73%).
- This problem is perceived to have worsened in the last five years both within their communities (60%) and countries (65%), and globally (71%).
WORRYING REALITIES IN THE LAST 30 DAYS
- 46% worried about their ability to afford food for their families.
- 30% did not know where their next meal would come from.
- 21% reported children in their households going to bed hungry due to food scarcity, with higher rates in low-income countries (38%).
The main causes of child hunger are attributed to inflation and the cost of living (46%), low household income (39%) and government’s not focussing on ending hunger (25%).
GLOBAL SCOPE OF THE ISSUE
Child hunger and malnutrition are not isolated problems. This issue affects children worldwide, regardless of their location. Parents are queuing for food across the globe, making heart-wrenching decisions.
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION
Despite the severe impact of poor nutrition, 44% of respondents underestimated the proportion of global child deaths caused by malnutrition. These individuals guessed this figure to be below 30%, highlighting a lack of awareness.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO HUNGER AND MALNUTRITION
- Inflation and the increased cost of living (55%).
- Not enough government focus (37%).
ROLE OF SCHOOL MEALS
85% of respondents support governments funding school meals. However, only 40% of parents/guardians reported that their children received a school meal in the last 30 days. This highlights the importance of school meals in ensuring children receive proper nutrients.
PESSIMISM ABOUT ACHIEVING UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
Only 33% believe the UN Sustainable Development Goal of eliminating global hunger by 2030 will be achieved, despite having enough food to do so. Pessimism is particularly prevalent in Australia (17%), Canada (17%), Germany (16%), and Japan (9%).
GOVERNMENT’S ROLE AND PUBLIC EXPECTATIONS
- 75% believe their government is not doing enough to support struggling families in their country.
- 71% believe their government is not doing enough to end child malnutrition.
- 69% believe their government is not doing enough to solve the global hunger crisis.
- Most (84%) maintain that there is enough food in the world for everyone, emphasizing food as a basic human right (91%).
CALL FOR ACTION
Citizens urge governments to take a lead role in addressing child hunger, with trust placed in governments, parents/guardians, and organizations. Individuals are also contributing through various actions, such as donating to charities and supporting hungry families locally.
A vast majority (89%) of global citizens emphasize the collective responsibility to end world hunger. They emphasize that governments, citizens, businesses, and NGOs working together can make significant progress in ending hunger and malnutrition among children. There is a shared belief that there is enough to combat this issue effectively.
