Nutrition

In Kyrgyzstan, the nutrition of children under five has improved over the past 20 years, but many still face challenges due to the triple burden of malnutrition: stunting, overweight and obesity, and lacking essential nutrients.

For example, 47 per cent of children under five have an iron deficiency, which is a leading cause of anaemia. The National Micronutrient and Anthropometric Survey (NIMAS, 2021) found that 20.9 per cent of children under five suffer from anaemia. Anaemia is also a major issue for pregnant women, with half of expectant mothers affected. Severe anaemia increases risk of maternal and newborn death, premature birth, and delays in child development. The vast majority of adolescent girls (83.6 percent) and non-pregnant women (83.2 percent) suffer from folate deficiency.

Vitamin A deficiency is a serious problem in Bishkek (20 per cent), and almost as severe in Osh city and the Osh region (19 per cent).

Children who do not get enough nutrients, especially during their first 1,000 days of life, are more likely to suffer from illness, infections, and stunted growth.

Stunting is moderately high at 14 per cent across the country. The highest rates of stunting are among children in the poorest households (16 per cent), and those living in Batken (23 per cent) and Jalal-Abad (17 per cent) oblasts. 

At the same time, being overweight and obese is becoming a growing health problem in Kyrgyzstan. Almost every tenth child under five is affected.

According to the 2023 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey, around 75 per cent of children aged 6-23 months consumed unhealthy food and 78 per cent consumed a sweet beverage. Sixteen per cent of children aged 6-23 months did not consume any vegetables or fruits during the previous day.

Children who are overweight, and specifically those who are obese, are at higher risk of developing gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and orthopaedic complications, sleep apnoea, accelerated onset of cardiovascular disease, fatty liver, impaired glucose intolerance and Type 2 diabetes.

Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for infants and gives children the healthiest start in life. UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend that babies start breastfeeding within one hour of birth, are breastfed exclusively for the first six months, and continue breastfeeding for at least two years. However, while 44 per cent of mothers breastfeed (MICS, 2023), the number drops to 30 per cent by the time babies are four to five months old.

A lack of dietary diversity is detrimental to child development. Without a variety of foods, children do not get the nutrients they need to grow properly, which can affect their health, brain development, and future opportunities. Currently, only 26.2 per cent of children aged 6-23 months meet the minimum standards for a diverse diet.