52. Rewind: Global Nutrition: Addressing Hidden Hunger and Stunting
The Impact of Nutrition on Global Health
Dr. Iannotti shed light on how proper nutrition habits and food sourcing can drastically improve the lives of children suffering from wasting and stunted growth. She referenced the 2022 edition of the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World, which revealed alarming statistics: an estimated 45 million children under five years of age suffer from wasting, 149 million have stunted growth, and 39 million are affected by being overweight.
At the E3 Nutrition Lab, Dr. Iannotti and her team are working tirelessly to implement small changes in children's diets. Their goal is to enhance immunity, aid recovery from diseases, and prevent new diseases from occurring.
Making a Difference through Projects
Throughout our conversation, Dr. Iannotti shared some of the impactful projects she has worked on. One such project involved distributing modified traps to fishermen, which allowed juvenile fish to escape, thereby protecting the ecosystem. This initiative led to an increase in fish biomass and household income.
Another project focused on promoting the consumption of small fish, which are sustainable and nutrient-dense. Dr. Iannotti emphasized the importance of partnering with local universities and NGOs for research and implementation.
In Ecuador, their intervention of introducing eggs at six months instead of 12 months resulted in a significant reduction in stunting and changes in dietary guidelines. Despite initial resistance to dietary changes, Dr. Iannotti stressed the importance of starting with small changes and gradually encouraging behavior change.
Nutrition and Infectious Diseases
The projects also highlighted the connection between nutrition and infectious diseases, with positive outcomes in reducing diarrhea and fever in children. Dr. Iannotti mentioned their current work in Madagascar, studying how wild plant and animal foods contribute to child nutrition and conservation efforts.
She introduced the concept of the 'hunger season', a period of waiting for crops to grow, and the challenges it poses for communities dependent on subsistence food production.
