Publication: Poverty and Nutrition in Bolivia
Date
2002-12
ISSN
Published
2002-12
Author(s)
World Bank
Abstract
Malnutrition is crippling Bolivia, and
the country must now face the political, and bureaucratic
failure in addressing malnutrition. This study defines the
nature, and extent of the malnutrition problem in the
country, identifies the underlying reasons for the failed
response, and outlines actions for both immediate, and more
long-term results. The study further estimates that less
than ten percent of government, and non-government
expenditures, with an explicit nutrition, or food security
component, is devoted to effective programs serving the
neediest - poor pregnant women, and malnourished children
under two. Public and private expenditures on nutrition are
often misdirected, for although Bolivia did achieve
successes in the advancement of nutrition over the past
twenty years, the problem of malnutrition still requires
action on several fronts. Primarily, nutrition needs a
national strategy, and functional leadership, able to
provide the population with accurate, and practical
nutritional knowledge, prioritizing effective interventions
for the most vulnerable. The study suggests improvements in
program design, by targeting assistance, and exploiting the
opportunities to improve nutrition through water and
sanitation, rural development, roads, and education
projects, which can have a profound effect on nutrition.
Recommendations include the development of nutrition
education focused on high-priority population, towards
creating a private commission to demand continuity of
Government attention to nutrition, as well as community
participation in nutrition programming.
Citation
“World Bank. 2002. Poverty and Nutrition in Bolivia. World Bank Country Study;. © Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/a758b89d-c117-5d2f-8cff-e37f0fef7c57 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”