Brandon Liette

Nutrition in Guatemala
From: Secretary of Health, Guatemala
To: Minister of Finance, Guatemala
Introduction
Throughout the years nutrition in Guatemala has been inadequate and insufficient
for its population (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2010). The geography of the land
and the environmental climate has created an unstable lifestyle for those who mostly live
in rural areas of the country (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2010). Not only the
rural regions are at danger though. The endangerment of malnutrition effects the entire
population (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2010). According to the Food and
Agriculture Organization, twenty-four percent of children in Guatemala are underweight
and forty-six percent are stunted (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2010). They share
that the prevalence in rural areas can get up to seventy percent and becomes worse with
age (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2010). This is all a result from the lack in
availability in micronutrient dense foods. Along with this insufficient abundance of
vitamins comes the occurrence of deficiencies and disease (Food and Agriculture
Organization, 2010). These alone contribute to the undereducated population and
therefore carry into the growth of the country (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2010).
By increasing the involvement within the country financially, Guatemalans may finally
have the chance to stabilize their health and future growth as a whole.
Nature and Magnitude of the Problem
The United States National Library of Medicine defines malnutrition as a
condition that happens when the body does not get enough of the nutrients it needs
(U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2013). Guatemala is known to have the highest rate
of malnutrition when it comes to the western hemisphere and is ranked fourth in the
world (Global Giving, 2013). With over half of the population under the poverty line and
others struggling to stay above, Guatemala has created an environment full of chronic
malnutrition that seems to be impossible to overcome (Global Giving, 2013).
This deficiency is centered on the lack of micronutrients in a persons diet (Global
Giving, 2013). Over the years with no improvement in this condition, Guatemala has
increased the rate of stunted growth and brain development within the country (Global
Giving, 2013). With the lack of know-how families in Guatemala are deprived the
knowledge of farming and raising animals to continue the source of vitamins and protein
in their diets (Global Giving, 2013). As a result a continuous malnutrition cycle remains
within its borders (Global Giving, 2013). The under education and inadequate
employment rates are also contributors to the poor economic status that Guatemala
carries and is a main factor that ties into the chronic malnutrition of the people (Global
Giving, 2013).
Affected Populations
Most of the population in Guatemala is affected by the unfortunate aftermath of
malnutrition (World Food Programme, 2011). A large portion of those affected is from
poor, indigenous regions of the country (World Food Programme, 2011). The main

deficiencies in Guatemalans are Vitamin A and Iron (World Food Programme, 2011).
Due to these micronutrients being so important to the body, mostly women are vulnerable
(World Food Programme, 2011). Statistics show that chronic malnutrition for children
under the age of five is at an approximate fifty percent rate, while the overall undernutrition rate for indigenous areas is at a seventy percent rate (World Food Programme,
2011).
Risk Factors
Guatemalas ongoing problem with malnutrition is not a result of the population
not eating enough food, but rather the quality of the food being eaten (Inter-American
Development Bank, 2014). This, along with the poor economy and under education,
continues to be the main risk factors of the deficiency countrywide (Inter-American
Development Bank, 2014). The low-income level and lack of nation stability explains
why the rates for under education are so high throughout the nation (Inter-American
Development Bank, 2014). The lack in education, mainly in the childbearing women,
raise the most concern due to the fact that the most critical time for children to become
stunted is within two years of birth (Inter-American Development Bank, 2014).
Pregnancy is where this chronic cycle begins (Inter-American Development Bank, 2014).
Reduced stature during pregnancy can do as much as complicate the delivery of a child
and cause low birth-weight for the baby itself (Inter-American Development Bank,
2014). Obesity for a childbearing mother can also expose the child to such diseases as
diabetes and give them a higher risk of adipose tissue deposits (Inter-American
Development Bank, 2014). After birth the lack of knowledge when it comes to nursing
the child can cause difficulties as well (Inter-American Development Bank, 2014). An
inadequate diet among all family members is a result of this cycle, and being exposed to
it throughout childhood increases the risk of exposing the generations to come.
Economic and Social Consequences
As the World Bank states, malnutrition costs low-income countries up to three
percent of yearly GDP (The World Bank, 2006). This deficiency also results in a risk of
children losing more than ten percent of their prospective lifetime earnings (The World
Bank, 2006). Living in a country like Guatemala, the population is well aware of the
continuous struggle of getting past the poverty line in a positive direction. With a
deficiency such as malnutrition running the country of Guatemala, there is no hope for a
higher economic status nor a stable government system without the help of outside
forces. The continuation of a low-income status and a poor healthcare system will be
prominent for years to come unless funding becomes a possibility for these people.
Priority Action Steps
With malnutrition, under education is the most crucial of risk factors. The issue at
hand is simple yet complicated to spread across a country in a short amount of time. If
Guatemalans are not starting their lives by eating healthy, then they will most likely
continue this negative path throughout the rest of their lives. I believe the best way to
address the problem in Guatemala is by starting at the source, the mothers. By being
educated in eating healthily while pregnant and then furthering that practice throughout
the young lives of their children we may be able to take a step in the right direction.

Multiple aspects contribute to malnutrition around the world. Under no

circumstance should a child grow up stunted and undeveloped physically and mentally.
Using money to reach out and educate those who have no knowledge of right and wrong
can expand Guatemala in ways of social and economic status. This is the correct path to
choose for the chance of a better tomorrow.

Bibliography
Food and Agriculture Organization. (2010). Nutrition country profiles: Guatemala.
Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/ag/agn/nutrition/gtm_en.stm
Global Giving. (2013). Fighting malnutrition in rural guatemala. Retrieved from
http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/fighting-malnutrition-in-rural-guatemala/
Inter-American Development Bank. (2014). Recipe for better nutrition in guatemala.
Retrieved from http://www.iadb.org/en/topics/health/malnutrition-inguatemala,3866.html
The World Bank. (2006). Malnutrition causes heavy economic losses, contributes to half
of all child deaths, but can be preventednew world bank report. Retrieved from
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/TOPICS/EXTHEALTHNUTRI
TIONANDPOPULATION/EXTNUTRITION/0,,contentMDK:20839585~menuP
K:282580~pagePK:64020865~piPK:149114~theSitePK:282575,00.html
U.S. National Library of Medicine (2013, April 13). Malnutrition. Retrieved from
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001441/
World Food Programme. (2011). Guatemala. Retrieved from
http://www.wfp.org/countries/guatemala/overview