Zimbabwe has adopted a new national strategy aimed at tackling malnutrition through a coordinated approach involving government ministries, civil society, academia and development partners amid growing concern over poor diets, childhood stunting and rising diet-related diseases.
The strategy was developed by the Food and Nutrition Council (FNC), the lead agency under the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), which was established in 2001 to coordinate, analyse and promote a cohesive national response to food and nutrition insecurity across government, development partners and other stakeholders.
In its newly launched National Common Narrative on Nutrition for Zimbabwe, the FNC said while the country has made progress in improving food and nutrition security, significant challenges remain and require a coordinated multisectoral response.
“The current state of nutrition in Zimbabwe is a critical determinant of the overall well-being and development of our nation. Amid commendable efforts and progress in recent years, significant challenges remain, necessitating a comprehensive situation analysis that informs the initiatives presented in this Common Narrative,” the report states.
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“The current state of nutrition in Zimbabwe is a critical determinant of the overall well-being and development of our nation. Amid commendable efforts and progress in recent years, significant challenges remain, necessitating a comprehensive situation analysis that informs the initiatives presented in this Common Narrative,” the report states.
According to the document, Zimbabwe continues to grapple with the triple burden of malnutrition despite being on course to meet three Global Nutrition targets for maternal, infant and young child nutrition.
It says one in every three children is stunted, 28.9 percent of women of reproductive age are anaemic, while only 41.9 percent of children are exclusively breastfed.
The document also notes that less than five percent of children receive a Minimum Acceptable Diet (MAD), raising concerns over the quality of diets consumed by young children.
The report further warns that routine health data points to increasing cases of diet-related non-communicable diseases, reflecting deteriorating dietary habits and consumer behaviour.
“Zimbabwe is on course to meet three Global Nutrition targets for maternal, infant and young child nutrition but is still facing the triple burden of malnutrition. That is one in three children are stunted. 28.9 percent of women of reproductive age suffer from anaemia, Only 41.9 percent of children are exclusively breastfed, and less than five percent of children receive a Minimum Acceptable diet.”
“More so, routine health information indicates that there is a rise in the number of new cases of diet related Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) which reflect on the quality of diets and consumer behaviour,” reads the document.
It attributes many of the country’s nutrition challenges to poor-quality diets characterised by excessive consumption of cereals, sugar and salt and very low intake of protein-rich foods.
“Diets of the Zimbabwean population are monotonous, and of poor quality, that is, characterised by high cereal consumption, high sugar and salt consumption and extremely low consumption of protein rich foods,” the report stated.
“In middle age children, adolescence, and adulthood the poor diets contribute to the increasing rates of diet related NCDs and ultimately increased morbidity and mortality.”
The strategy states that solving Zimbabwe’s nutrition challenges requires action beyond the health sector.
“The narrative acknowledges the role of every sector in solving nutrition challenges and ultimately eradicating the triple burden of malnutrition in the country. It is premised on the fact that there is no silver bullet to solving nutrition challenges, hence, it embraces holistic, interdisciplinary and multisectoral approaches in its design and implementation.”
To achieve this, the document proposes Nutrition 10.0, a framework built around ten pillars that include health, agriculture, finance, governance, education, social protection, water and sanitation, advocacy and research.
The document also links nutrition to national development, arguing that improved nutrition should be viewed as an economic investment rather than simply a health intervention.
Under its finance pillar, it notes that every US$1 invested in nutrition can generate an estimated US$16 in economic returns and recommends increased domestic financing for nutrition programmes, including dedicated budget allocations across government sectors.
Among its recommendations is a proposal to strengthen food legislation, including introducing excise taxes on foods high in sugar, salt and fat while improving consumer protection and food labelling standards.
The report stated: “ Accelerate legislation for control of unhealthy foods and diets by introducing an excise tax for control of high sugar, high salt and high fat foods. Furthermore, elevate legislation for consumer rights and consumer protection including adoption of appropriate, updated food labelling and increasing consumer awareness and protection.”
The document also identifies adolescent pregnancy, child marriage, gender inequality and poverty as major contributors to poor nutrition outcomes.
It notes that children born to adolescent mothers face increased risks of low birth weight, disease and malnutrition, while women and girls are disproportionately affected by poor nutrition because of biological, social and cultural factors.
“Young mothers are at greater risk of birth complications (increased vulnerability of the child to disease and malnutrition) and spontaneous abortion (maternal and neonatal death). Adolescent mothers are more likely to give birth to low-birth-weight babies, vulnerable to disease and malnutrition. More so, the children are likely to suffer stunted growth in childhood, leading to mental and physical retardation,” reads the document.
To improve nutrition outcomes, the report proposes integrating nutrition into school curricula, expanding school health services, promoting diversified agriculture, strengthening food safety systems and improving access to clean water and sanitation.
Presenting the foreword to the report, the Food and Nutrition Council says the strategy is intended to guide national action towards achieving Vision 2030.
“The National Common Narrative on Nutrition represents a pivotal milestone in this ongoing journey towards achievement of Vision 2030 with a healthier, food and nutrition secure Zimbabwe, and leaving no one and no place behind in this journey,” reads the document..
Calling on all stakeholders to support implementation, the foreword adds: “Let us work together tirelessly, leveraging our collective strengths, to ensure that every Zimbabwean has access to safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food. By doing so, we will create a healthier and more prosperous nation, where nutrition is not a privilege but a fundamental right for all.”
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