New technical brief stresses the cost of malnutrition on economies and human capital

On 26 July 2016, the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition launched its third technical brief, “The Cost of Malnutrition: Why Policy Action is Urgent”. The brief calls on policymakers to invest without delay in more cost-effective nutrition initiatives. The enormous cost of malnutrition results from loss in economic growth and reduced or lost investments in human capital associated with preventable child deaths, as well as premature adult mortality linked to diet related non-communicable diseases.

“Although the price of addressing malnutrition can be huge, evidence shows that the cost of doing nothing is immeasurably greater,” Prof. K. Srinath Reddy, President of the Public Health Foundation of India, and Global Panel Member.

Findings from the brief include:

• For every 1% loss of potential attained height in adulthood is estimate to reduce adult earnings by 2.4%
• At least 2.6 million people die each year as a result of being overweight or obese
• Sustained reductions in malnutrition will significantly contribute to poverty alleviation and government budgetary savings
• Economic benefits of investments in nutrition actions is estimated at US$18 return from every US$1 invested in reducing wasting and stunting

Download The Cost of Malnutrition: Why Policy Action is Urgent English

Download a short summary English

Download working paper: “The economics of reducing malnutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa” English

Learn more at the Global Panel ►

The Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition

The Global Panel is chaired by John Kufuor, former President of Ghana and John Beddington, former UK Chief Scientist. It is an independent group comprising of 12 influential experts with a commitment to tackling global challenges in food and nutrition security. The Global Panel aims to inform and influence policy makers in agriculture and food systems in low and middle income countries to improve diets and nutrition outcomes for all.