Why is it in the news?
- The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released the “Asia Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2023: Statistics and Trends” report, highlighting the concerning state of food security and nutrition in the region.
About the Report
- Aim is to inform stakeholders about progress towards ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving nutrition.
- Provides insights into the progress in meeting Sustainable Development Goals and World Health Assembly (WHA) Global Nutrition Targets 2025.
Key Findings of the Report
- During the pandemic and the “5Fs” crisis (food, feed, fuel, fertiliser, and finance), the Asia Pacific region faced troubling statistics.
- About half of the world’s undernourished people live in the Asia-Pacific region, with more women than men experiencing food insecurity.
- Southern Asia has the highest prevalence of undernourishment at 15.6 percent.
India
| Indicator | Percentage/Prevalence |
| Affordability of Healthy Diet | 74% (76.2% in 2020) |
| Undernourished Population | 16.6% |
| Stunting (Children under 5) | 31.7% |
| Wasting (Children under 5) | 18.7% (highest in the region) |
| Overweight (General Population) | 2.8% |
| Low Birth Weight | 27.4% (highest in the region) |
| Anaemia in Women (15-49 years) | 53% (2019) (largest in the region) |
| Exclusive Breastfeeding (0-5 months) | 63.7% (compared to the world average of 47.7%) |
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