KARACHI: Health scientists, doctors and nutritionists gathered at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Monday to share some alarming results of disparity in food distribution.

They told a press conference that the country was facing a dilemma created by unjust distribution of food and unawareness, which has doubled the number of children with obesity during the last 10 years, and at the same time over 45 per cent children were stunted due to malnourishment.

They agreed that the country was facing triple burden — where a vast majority of people are either facing malnutrition, having micronutrient deficiency, or are obese and overweight.

Pakistan Nutrition and Dietetic Society (PNDS) president Fayza Khan said: “Number of obese children has increased to 13pc now from 6pc in 2011, while over 45pc children are stunted due to malnourishment.”

“Similarly, a vast majority of people are having deficiency of micronutrients, which include deficiency of iron, zinc and other important minerals and vitamins, including vitamin D,” she added.

Accompanied by PNDS vice president Dr Romaina Iqbal, paediatrician Dr Sina Aziz and nutritionist Saima Rasheed, Ms Khan announced that in order to discuss the issues related to malnutrition, micronutrients’ deficiencies and obesity, a three-day ‘2nd PNDS International Conference’ would be held in Karachi from March 11, which would be attended by national and international nutritionists, researchers and health experts.

“The three-day event would be inaugurated by Sindh health minister Dr Azra Fazl Pechuho while Sindh Governor Imran Ismail would be the chief guest at the concluding ceremony on Sunday,” she said.

She added that experts from Europe, United States, Middle East and other countries as well as different public and private institutions of Pakistan would present their papers at the conference.

She maintained that the multidisciplinary conference was supported by various national and international organisations.

Dr Romaina Iqbal of the AKU said that unabated under-nutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and rise in over-nutrition and obesity were crucial challenges in Pakistan, which was leading to significant adverse health and economic consequences for the country, particularly in Sindh, where the rate of under-nutrition cases was very high.

“This will also be the focus of the conference,” she said.

Dr Sina Aziz highlighted the nutritional disparities in Pakistan, saying on one hand, over 45pc children were either malnourished or stunted, while on the other, the number of obese and overweight children was constantly on the rise.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2022