Nutrition plays a fundamental role in the life of every child. Without it, children cannot grow up to reach their full potential and face health risks like stunting that haunt them for the rest of their lives. On Universal Children's Day (November 20) we talked to Anna Horner, a nutritionist in West Africa, about WFP's work ensuring that kids get the nutrition they need.

1) How many children globally are affected by hunger and malnutrition?

In 2011, an estimated 165 million children under five years of age worldwide were stunted or chronically undernourished, meaning that they have suffered from restricted growth and development in their early childhood. In the same year, an estimated 52 million children were suffering from wasting or acute malnutrition, which is linked to an increased risk for illness and death.

Both of these forms of malnutrition are prevalent in the West Africa region where stunting is estimated to affect approximately 36 percent of children under five years

while approximately 5 million children are estimated to suffer from wasting at any point in time.

2) In what way does hunger and malnutrition affect children?

Hunger and malnutrition can have a lifelong impact on the lives of children. Scientific evidence has shown that malnutrition can cause irreversible damage to children in terms of both growth and development and can lead to an increased risk of mortality. For example, studies have shown that chronic malnutrition in the first two years of life prevents children from reaching their full mental and physical potential, increases their likelihood of illness, affects their ability to concentrate in school, and even impacts their earning potential in adulthood.

The impacts of malnutrition are inter-generational, passed down from mother to child, thus perpetuating the cycle of poor nutrition and health.

3) What are the most serious consequences of hunger/malnutrition for children?

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