Act for Nutrition conference: Experts call for multisectoral approach, community-led intervention in addressing malnutrition crisis

On the final day of the 'Act For Nutrition: The Emergency We Can No Longer Ignore' conference in Islamabad, experts stressed the need for a comprehensive, multisectoral approach to address Pakistan's malnutrition and stunting crisis. With nearly 40% of children under five stunted and a maternal mortality rate of 155 deaths per 100,000 live births, the country is at a critical juncture.

Researcher Dr Hana Mahmood emphasized the importance of interventions at the community, systemic, and legislative levels, calling for nutrition-related efforts that go beyond statistics. She stressed the need for behavior change and highlighted that no single industry owns nutrition. Doctor Nosheen Ashraf from the National Institutes of Health emphasized the necessity of rigorous testing for pregnant women, as current monitoring is lacking in many areas.

Gynaecologist Dr Urooj Yasir Khan stressed that nutrition should not be limited to pregnancy or childbirth, noting the lack of awareness about nutrition in adolescent girls. Dr Nosheen Taqvi, founder of Nutradevice, called for equitable access to nutritious food, clarifying that healthy food does not always have to be expensive and that mothers in Pakistani households often prioritize others before themselves. She also addressed the stigma around weight gain and its impact on women's nutrition.

Director of the International Research Force Dr Hana Mahmood explained the critical importance of the first 1,000 days of a child's life in addressing malnutrition, as this period is when growth is exponentially high and micronutrient requirements are massive. She noted that Pakistan has one of the highest child-under-five mortality rates, a majority of which can be averted by focusing on preventing stunting.