World health organization

10 facts on the state of global health

Two young children sit on the ground in an African village, one smiling and one eating.
WHO/Christopher Black

Under-nutrition is the underlying cause of death for at least one-third of all children under age five

Inadequate breastfeeding, inappropriate food and a lack of access to highly nutritious foods contribute to the problem. Common childhood diseases affect a child's ability to eat or absorb the necessary nutrients from food.

 © WHO. All rights reserved.