Intervention and Policy Options for Combating Malnutrition in Guatemala

Abstract

Guatemala is facing a health paradox. On the one hand, chronic child malnutrition rates are worse than those in Africa, and are quadruple the average rates for Latin America. On the other hand, obesity and overweight affect half of the country's women, and anemia has also increased at an alarming rate. The study addresses the topic of malnutrition in an innovative and pragmatic way and provides key recommendations for implementing much-needed nutrition interventions in Guatemala. Dietary deficiencies and low breastfeeding rates are limiting children's developmental potential in Guatemala and negatively affecting quality of life and opportunities for the country's population.