Nutrition in contemporary South Africa

In South Africa, both under- and over-nutrition exist. Chronic malnutrition is a bigger problem than acute malnutrition. Stunted children have a higher risk for being overweight. At national level, 33.3% of preschool children are vitamin A deficient, 21.4% are anaemic and 5.0% suffer from iron deficiency anaemia. Prevalence figures for childhood malnutrition differ between and within provinces. South African children consume a maize-based diet that is inadequate in energy and of low nutrient density. Inadequate intake of micronutrients starts during infancy. Strategies to address micronutrient malnutrition include high-dose vitamin A supplementation, food fortification, biofortification and dietary diversification. A broad multifaceted comprehensive health intervention programme is needed to address childhood malnutrition in the country.