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Feeding Latin America's children.

P Musgrove

    The World Bank Research Observer
    |January 1, 1993
    PubMed
    Summary
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    Latin American and Caribbean food programs spend over $1.6 billion annually, reaching 80 million people. Despite this, 10 million children remain malnourished, indicating poor program effectiveness and targeting.

    Area of Science:

    • Public Health
    • Nutrition Policy
    • International Development

    Background:

    • Over $1.6 billion is allocated annually to 104 food subsidy/provision programs across 19 Latin American and Caribbean countries.
    • These programs target individuals at risk of malnutrition, representing 0.2% of the region's gross national product and reaching 21% of the population.
    • Despite significant investment, approximately 10 million children in the region suffer from malnutrition, suggesting systemic inefficiencies.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To evaluate the effectiveness and impact of existing food subsidy and provision programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
    • To identify factors contributing to the ineffectiveness of malnutrition reduction efforts despite substantial financial investment.
    • To assess the targeting, coverage, and comprehensiveness of interventions aimed at combating child malnutrition.
    Keywords:
    Age FactorsAmericasCaribbeanChildChild NutritionDelivery Of Health CareDemographic FactorsDeveloping CountriesDiseasesEconomic FactorsFinancial ActivitiesForeign AidHealthHealth ServicesLatin AmericaMalnutritionNorth AmericaNutritionNutrition DisordersNutrition ProgramsOrganization And AdministrationPopulationPopulation CharacteristicsPrimary Health CareProgram EffectivenessProgram EvaluationProgramsYouth

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    Main Methods:

    • Analysis of program expenditures, beneficiary reach, and per capita costs across 19 countries.
    • Review of available evidence on program impact, focusing on malnutrition prevention and treatment outcomes.
    • Assessment of program alignment with the multifaceted causes of malnutrition: poverty, disease, and ignorance.

    Main Results:

    • Expenditures on food programs reach over 80 million people at a cost of $20 per beneficiary or $4 per capita.
    • Evidence of program effectiveness in preventing or treating malnutrition is limited, with results seldom measured.
    • Programs often fail to reach the neediest populations or provide adequate food, coupled with insufficient health care and nutritional education.

    Conclusions:

    • Current food programs in Latin America and the Caribbean demonstrate poor targeting and ineffectiveness in combating widespread child malnutrition.
    • Greater progress against undernourishment is achievable with current spending levels through improved program design and implementation.
    • Addressing the root causes of malnutrition—poverty, disease, and ignorance—requires integrated approaches beyond mere food provision.