High temperatures, extreme rainfall threaten child growth in Pakistan: study

#High #temperatures #extreme #rainfall #threaten #child #growth #Pakistan #study

ISLAMABAD: For the past decades and a half, prolonged exhibition of high temperatures and heavy rainfall has been damaging malnutrition among children under two years of age in Pakistan, which has increased stunting and waste.

Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the research highlights that each degree is linked to a significant reduction in the Z Score (LAZ) for the baby’s length in each degree Celsius. Increasing rains also have a negative impact on growth indications, nutritional rates are high in families facing water insecurity, inadequate cleaning and poor diversity.

Although climate change is an important factor, experts emphasize that it is not the only driver of malnutrition, but is another growing force that worsens the current socio -economic and health challenges. The study highlights how high heat incidents such as heatwaves, droughts and excessive rainfall are being accelerated and children’s health is being affected.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers, led by Professor Zulfiqar Bhatta, founder director of the Institute for Global Health and Development at AGA Khan University, which has linked rising temperatures and rising samples with poor development results.

Pakistan has faced climate -affected obstacles for more than a decade, including wrong monsoon, long drought and agricultural production capacity and increasing food shortages. The study analyzed Pakistan’s 2011 and 2018 National Nutrition Survey data, in which children’s growth indicators are linked to climate variables such as temperatures, rain and soil moisture.

These results show that the effects of climate are significantly associated with stunt and high rates of waste. Children suffering from extreme heat and rain samples due to a decrease in agricultural production, shortage of food and rising diarrhea.

Professor Bhatta emphasized that climate change is not only an environmental problem but also a major health crisis that has serious consequences for children’s growth and development. However, he noted that many factors are aid to malnutrition, including poverty, lack of access to health care, food insecurity, and inadequate nutrition of maternity, which further increases due to climate obstacles.

“The slow progress in reducing childhood stunts in Pakistan is not only due to poverty and food insecurity, but also the stress of the climate that has deteriorated over time. Increasing temperatures and incorrect rainfall samples are reducing the availability of food, increasing the spread of diseases, and they are compromised.

Between 2011 and 2018, this study has only reduced the national stunting rate. In provinces like Sindh and Balochistan, the situation worsened, with stunt rates more than 40 %, and some district level levels are more than 50 %. Meanwhile, the nationwide waste rates have increased, especially in regions that have long been dried and excessive rainfall.

Pakistan’s dependence on rain -powered agriculture suffers from climate shock. For a long time, dry mantra and severe monsoon disrupts food production, which causes price fluctuations and access to nutrients. Experts are emphasizing immediate policy intervention to tackle climate -related challenges, enhance agricultural flexibility, improve food safety and add climate adaptation to public health strategies.

Professor Bhatta emphasized the need for targeted intervention, including smart agriculture, access to safe drinking water, shortage of food, maternity and childbuilding programs to counter the growing effects of climate change on weak populations.

“Nutrition requires a multi -faceted approach that connects climate adaptation, food safety and public health measures. He warned that without immediate action, the burden of childhood stunting and wasting would increase, which would affect future generations and improve the development of Pakistan.

Climate challenges are demanding experts demanding maximum investment in nutritional climate policies and sustainable food systems. There is a dire need to integrate climate flexibility into the national nutritional strategy, while to tackle the social and economic factors of malnutrition to protect the health of millions of children.