A Comprehensive Investigation into the Prevalence and Effects of Undernutrition among Children in Namibia: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Undernutrition is a significant public health concern, impacting over 900 million people globally. It holds responsibility for the highest mortality rate among children and leaves enduring physiological effects. The purpose of this review is to determine the prevalence of undernourishment, investigate the consequences of undernutrition on health outcomes, particularly its influence on child development, and emphasize potential interventions and suggest policy recommendations to tackle the underlying causes and alleviate the effects of undernutrition in Namibia. Databases such as PubMed, OnePlus, etc., and reports from organizations were utilized to identify existing research studies (both qualitative and quantitative) and reports from organizations were used to identify relevant articles. In 2012, 28% of Namibians were underweight, 11% as overweight, and 7% as obese. The prevalence of undernutrition (as a percentage of the population) was reported at 17.1% in 2020 and 2021. Stunting has decreased from 29% to 23.7%. 12,711 children are said to have died in Namibia in the last five years. 43.1% of the adult population was stunted as a child. Data in the 2022 prevalence report shows that 7.1% of children under five years of age are affected, which is higher than the average for the African region (6.0%). Undernutrition poses potential consequences in children such as impaired physical and cognitive development, increased susceptibility to diseases, and overall reduced quality of life. There is a lack of recent online data on undernutrition prevalence in Namibia, which poses a challenge to grasp the current situation fully. Historical records and existing literature strongly suggest that undernutrition remains a pressing issue in the country.