Stunted growth not as bad as expected in OPT children – IRIN/ Non-UN Document

In Brief: Stunting not as bad as expected in Occupied Palestinian Territory

DUBAI, 13 November 2009 (IRIN) – An estimated 200 million children aged under five in the developing world suffer from stunted growth due to maternal and childhood undernutrition, according to a new UNICEF report.

“Stunting is associated with developmental problems and is often impossible to correct. A child who is stunted is likely to experience a lifetime of poor health and underachievement,” a UNICEF statement on 11 November said.

In the Middle East, the Occupied Palestinian Territory has a stunting prevalence of 10 percent, a surprisingly better result than other, far wealthier neighbours, which have the following scores:

Lebanon – 11
Jordan – 12
Oman – 13
UAE – 17
Saudi Arabia – 20
Kuwait – 24
Iraq – 26
Syria – 28
Egypt – 29
Yemen – 58

 at/oa/cb