South Africa - Nutritional and health outcomes in children and youth living in a high HIV prevalence rural setting in South Africa ,2012

Owing to its historical background which led to high levels of ineiquity and unemployment among its Black population, South Africa is affected by high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition particularly among the Black population. Undernutrition as manifested in stunting, wasting and underweight has been a major problem prticularly among the Black population. The current wave of nutritioal transition in Africa has also significanlty affected South Africa and high levels of overweight and obesity particularly amongst Black women have been recorded. The HIV epidemic ravaging the country compounds the problem of malnutrition in children. The ramifications of malnutrition are severe ranging from impaired cognitive development in stunted children, higher infection and mortality and higher risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. There is therefore a dire need to focus on malnutrition in children in south Africa for evidence based policies and interventions.

Individual, Household, Village, Site, Mixed