We are saying ENOUGH

By Emmanuella, aged 17, a young leader from Ghana.

I am writing this blog to share some pressing issues that affect millions of children around the world due to the impact of poverty on malnutrition and child obesity. Unfortunately, poverty remains a reality for too many people and its implications extend beyond financial limitations. Directly, it influences the health and well-being of people, especially children. 

One of the most disheartening consequences of poverty is malnutrition. When families struggle to survive, getting nutritious food becomes unaffordable. As a result, children are deprived of essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients that are necessary for their growth and development. 

Poverty also contributes to the alarming rise in child obesity rates. It is shocking to see that while some children suffer from hunger, others experience the opposite - an abundance of unhealthy and calorie-dense food. However, we cannot blame them as their families rely on cheap foods and these foods are mostly lacking in nutritional value and contribute to the development of child obesity and its related health challenges. 

The impact of poverty on malnutrition and child obesity must be addressed with urgency. Governments and non-governmental organizations must work hand in hand to provide healthy food for the most vulnerable children and families to put an end to child hunger and malnutrition which can extend into adulthood, leading to a lifetime of health complications.

Children are the present and the future of our countries and the world, so let us end child hunger and malnutrition now by saying ENOUGH.