Poverty and Malnutrition in Iran

Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of malnutrition. In other words, low income results in malnutrition which in turn culminates in more poverty. It deserves mentioning, however, that destitution is by no means the sole cause of malnutrition and cultural, social as well as public health factors are solved. Presently, portions of our population are malnourished. Lack of food has led to protein- energy malnutrition, iron deficiency anemia, zinc, calcium as well as vitamins A, B2 and D deficiency are still problematic. On the other hand, part of the population is suffering from over nutrition resulting in obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Current figures point to the presence of 6 million case of osteoporosis or osteopenia. Forty percent of the under- two children are anemic, 11 percent of the under- fives are afflicted with moderate to severe underweight and 15 percent are moderately to severely stunted. The situation is not limited to our country and many nations are faced with the plight of malnutrition. This is why the world leaders gathered, at the invitation of FAO, in November 1996 in Rome to call for "access to healthy and safe food and sufficient food intake" and reiterated that right to food and freedom from hunger must be given high priority in all countries. In policies and nutrition improvement programs emphasis must be placed on the poor, the deprived and low- income groups. Nutritional well- being must be considered as a pre- requisite for social and economic development.