A Comprehensive Roadmap for Reversing Under-Five Malnutrition on the Arab States Based on the Sustainable Development Goals

Abstract

Introduction: Eradicating malnutrition, which is a global problem, is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations. Identifying indicators that can predict and prevent ma lnutrition is important for ensuring physical and mental health of chi ldren. Aim: To analyze and identify the SDG indicators of Arab States influencing stunting, as an indicator of malnutrition, among children under-five of age. Methods: Indices representing nutrition-related SDG indicators were compiled from global SDG data for 22 countries of the Arab region. Of all SDG indicators, 76 relevant indicators covering t he 17 SDGs were identified and compiled from the global database of UN DP. Descriptive analysis was used to correlate the indicators of stunt ing (using height-for-age below 2 standard deviation score) with 77 SD G indicators. The associations were presented as graphic illustrations . Findings: Almost two-thirds of the SDG indicators showed some associ ation with stunting [47 (61%)]. The associations varied by level of in come. High income countries (HIC) performed better than the low income countries (LIC). Middle income countries (MIC) were staggering to mov e towards the HIC. All the SDGs had at least 2 or more indicators that correlated with stunting. The most significant indicator that was ass ociated with nutrition was the corruption index for SDG16: “Peace, Jus tice and Strong Institutions”, which was reversely correlated with stu nting. Conclusions: All the 17 SDGs are integral for reversing malnutr ition and can be integrated into a comprehensive roadmap for reversing malnutrition. The high correlation with SDG17 indicates that the situ ation of conflict in the Arab countries is one of the major holdbacks for development. Peace and justice are a mandate for preventing malnut rition in children and its consequences in this region.