Nigeria is among countries in the world faced with a high level of hunger threat despite its efforts at reducing hunger in the last 24 years, says the latest Global Hunger Index report.
In the GHI survey released on Monday, the country’s index is 14.7 compared to Ghana’s 7.8. According to the report, the higher the index score, the higher the hunger level. While Nigeria’s level is placed at “serious”, Ghana’s is considered to be at a “moderate” hunger level.
This year’s report, focusing on “hidden hunger” was compiled by the International Food Policy Research Institute, Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe.
As stated in the publication citing the Food and Agriculture Organisation, despite progress made in developing countries as a group, the level of hunger in the world is still “serious,” with 805 million people continuing to go hungry.
“With one more year before the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the 2014 Global Hunger Index report offers a multifaceted overview of global hunger that brings new insights to the global debate on where to focus efforts in the fight against hunger and malnutrition,” it said.
It added that levels of hunger were “extremely alarming” or “alarming” in 16 countries, with Burundi and Eritrea classified as “extremely alarming.”
Most of the countries with “alarming” GHI scores, the report noted, were in the south of the Sahara.
It said further, “This is the ninth year in which the International Food Policy Research Institute has calculated the Global Hunger Index, analysing and recording the state of hunger worldwide, highlighting the countries and regions where action is most needed.
“The 2014 GHI shows that progress has been made in reducing the proportion of hungry people in the world. Despite progress, levels of hunger remain “alarming” or “extremely alarming” in 16 countries. This year’s report focuses on a critical aspect of hunger that is often overlooked: hidden hunger.
“One form of hunger that is often ignored or overshadowed by hunger related to energy deficits is hidden hunger—also called micronutrient deficiency—which affects some two billion people around the world. This shortage in essential vitamins and minerals can have long-term, irreversible health effects as well as socioeconomic consequences that can erode a person’s well-being and development. By affecting people’s productivity, it can also take a toll on countries’ economies.”
According to IFPR, hidden hunger can coexist with adequate or even excessive consumption of dietary energy from macronutrients, such as fats and carbohydrates, and obesity in one person or community.
It listed poor diet, disease, impaired absorption, and increased micronutrient needs during certain life stages, such as pregnancy, lactation, and infancy, are among the causes of hidden hunger, which may “invisibly” affect the health and development of a population.
“The ‘hidden hunger’ due to micronutrient deficiency does not produce hunger as we know it. You might not feel it in the belly, but it strikes at the core of your health and vitality,” a former deputy executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund, Kul Gautam said.
Noting the dangers of hidden hunger, the report called on Nigeria and other affected countries to show more commitment to the fight against hunger.
In the GHI survey released on Monday, the country’s index is 14.7 compared to Ghana’s 7.8. According to the report, the higher the index score, the higher the hunger level. While Nigeria’s level is placed at “serious”, Ghana’s is considered to be at a “moderate” hunger level.
This year’s report, focusing on “hidden hunger” was compiled by the International Food Policy Research Institute, Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe.
As stated in the publication citing the Food and Agriculture Organisation, despite progress made in developing countries as a group, the level of hunger in the world is still “serious,” with 805 million people continuing to go hungry.
“With one more year before the 2015 deadline for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the 2014 Global Hunger Index report offers a multifaceted overview of global hunger that brings new insights to the global debate on where to focus efforts in the fight against hunger and malnutrition,” it said.
It added that levels of hunger were “extremely alarming” or “alarming” in 16 countries, with Burundi and Eritrea classified as “extremely alarming.”
Most of the countries with “alarming” GHI scores, the report noted, were in the south of the Sahara.
It said further, “This is the ninth year in which the International Food Policy Research Institute has calculated the Global Hunger Index, analysing and recording the state of hunger worldwide, highlighting the countries and regions where action is most needed.
“The 2014 GHI shows that progress has been made in reducing the proportion of hungry people in the world. Despite progress, levels of hunger remain “alarming” or “extremely alarming” in 16 countries. This year’s report focuses on a critical aspect of hunger that is often overlooked: hidden hunger.
“One form of hunger that is often ignored or overshadowed by hunger related to energy deficits is hidden hunger—also called micronutrient deficiency—which affects some two billion people around the world. This shortage in essential vitamins and minerals can have long-term, irreversible health effects as well as socioeconomic consequences that can erode a person’s well-being and development. By affecting people’s productivity, it can also take a toll on countries’ economies.”
According to IFPR, hidden hunger can coexist with adequate or even excessive consumption of dietary energy from macronutrients, such as fats and carbohydrates, and obesity in one person or community.
It listed poor diet, disease, impaired absorption, and increased micronutrient needs during certain life stages, such as pregnancy, lactation, and infancy, are among the causes of hidden hunger, which may “invisibly” affect the health and development of a population.
“The ‘hidden hunger’ due to micronutrient deficiency does not produce hunger as we know it. You might not feel it in the belly, but it strikes at the core of your health and vitality,” a former deputy executive director of the United Nations Children’s Fund, Kul Gautam said.
Noting the dangers of hidden hunger, the report called on Nigeria and other affected countries to show more commitment to the fight against hunger.
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