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Knowledge4Policy
Knowledge for policy
Supporting policy with scientific evidence

We mobilise people and resources to create, curate, make sense of and use knowledge to inform policymaking across Europe.

  • Publication | 2021
The MDG1c programme: building resilience for better diets in Mozambique
Global Food and Nutrition Security

Mozambique’s strong economic performance has not been accompanied by a significant reduction in malnutrition. At 43%, the national prevalence of child stunting remains very high. With more than 2 million stunted children, Mozambique is off-track to meet global nutrition targets on stunting, and children from the poorest households are disproportionately affected. At the same time anaemia affects almost 7 out of 10 children and more than half of women, while overweight and obesity is increasing across all groups. The causes of malnutrition are multi-faceted and include poor diets, inadequate childcare, inability to access a quality education and health services, unsafe water and sanitation, gender inequalities and persistent multi-dimensional poverty. Malnutrition – in all its forms – comes with unacceptably high, yet preventable, human, social and economic costs. Mozambique loses over 10.9% GDP each year to child stunting alone, equivalent to USD 1.6 billion.