More Information
The facts of malnutrition are devastating. In terms of depth, breadth, and complexity, it truly is a nation-wide health emergency. The information below has helped us inform ourselves about the importance of our work, and we hope it has the same effect on you.
Quick facts about Chronic Malnutrition in Guatemala:
Guatemala currently has the third highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world. More than 49% of Guatemalan children under 5 suffer from chronic malnutrition (ENSMI), and that figure exceeds 65% for children in rural areas (UNICEF).
Chronic malnutrition causes stunting, lower income as adults, and hinders intellectual growth. As a result, almost half of children in Guatemala have been left behind, physically and cognitively, before they are 5 years old. This poses not only a grave public health issue, but also a major obstacle for the country’s development. Malnutrition costs Guatemala over $300 billion per year in lost GDP.
Conventional wisdom long held that Maya peoples were genetically shorter than Europeans. Studies of immigrant children have recently proven this to be false (see B. Bogin et al. 2002):
As you can see, chronic malnutrition has visible, nontrivial effects on stature.
Studies and Research
The data from these experiments and studies provide valuable insight into chronic malnutrition, its effects, and LISTO’s efforts to combat the issue.
Chronic Malnutrition: Scope and Effects
World Bank Study on Chronic Malnutrition in Guatemala
Malnutrition and Health in Developing Countries
The Use of Nutritional Supplements to Combat Chronic Malnutrition
Lipid-based Supplement Research
Data about Maní+: The Formula, Implementation, and Success
Awards
2016 Schmidheiny Prize for Social Innovation from the VIVA Trust
Chronic malnutrition in the first three years of life has irreversible consequences for brain development
“If the cycle isn’t broken, it carries on from generation to generation.”