Nutrition

Malnutrition remains a major contributor to child mortality in Lesotho, with 36 per cent of children affected by stunting and only 15 per cent receiving a minimum acceptable diet. Micronutrient deficiencies and inadequate infant and young child feeding practices are prevalent, particularly in rural communities. The situation is further complicated by adolescent undernutrition alongside a growing trend of overweight and obesity, even among young children, due to increasingly obesogenic environments.

Despite the importance of early childhood development, efforts to promote parental engagement, positive parenting, and nurturing care—especially around nutrition and child protection—remain limited. Many children continue to face corporal punishment, violence, neglect, or social exclusion, often due to stigma or a general lack of awareness regarding child rights and practices that support nurturing care, early stimulation, and play.

Underlying these challenges are several key issues: a lack of access to nutritious food; poor care and feeding practices; and limited availability and uptake of quality multisectoral services that could address the complex drivers of malnutrition. Food insecurity persists across the country, further exacerbated by the impacts of climate change. Additionally, cultural beliefs—such as those related to breastfeeding—often hinder optimal feeding practices for infants and young children.