Review of the nutrition situation in the Eastern Mediterranean region

Abstract

This situation analysis for the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region focuses on specific nutrition indicators, namely low birth weight, exclusive breastfeeding, under- and overnutrition (anthropometric indicators) and anaemia. The regional average prevalence of low birth weight and exclusive breastfeeding was estimated at 19.31% and 29.3%, respectively. Stunting, wasting and underweight had an average prevalence of 28%, 8.69% and 18%, respectively. Afghanistan, Djibouti, Pakistan, Sudan and Yemen had the highest burden of stunting (> 30%). Prevalence of anaemia ranged from 7.4% to 88% in children aged < 5 years and from 19.9% to 63% in women of childbearing age. Of concern is the increasing trend in overweight and obesity among adults and children. Average prevalence of overweight and obesity was 27% and 24% in adults and 16.5% and 4.8% in school-aged children, respectively. The highest levels of obesity were reported from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. This review highlights the double burden of malnutrition in countries of the Region and calls for the prioritization of policies aimed at improving the population’s nutritional status. © World Health Organization (WHO) 2018.