Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography
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Determining Gender-Based Differences in Retinal and Choroidal Thickness in Underweight Individuals via Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography

Published on: December 1, 2023

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Acute malnutrition among children in the Gaza Strip, Palestine: May 2024-November 2024

Dana Hassneiah1, Rana Sobh2, Fadi Abed2

  • 1Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconness Medical Centre Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

BMJ Global Health
|December 19, 2025
PubMed

Insights

War in Gaza has led to high rates of acute malnutrition in children under 5. Urgent humanitarian aid and cessation of hostilities are critical to address the crisis and prevent famine.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Public Health
  • Global Health

Background:

  • The ongoing conflict in Gaza since October 2023 has led to widespread displacement and restricted access to essential resources.
  • This situation has heightened concerns regarding the risk of famine and malnutrition among the vulnerable population, particularly children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To estimate the prevalence of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) and severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in children under five years old in the Gaza Strip.
  • To identify factors associated with acute malnutrition in this population during the conflict.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using de-identified nutritional assessment data from children up to 5 years old in Gaza.
  • Data were collected from humanitarian relief clinics between May 2024 and November 2024.
  • Standardized definitions for MAM and SAM based on weight-for-length Z-scores and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) were applied.

Main Results:

  • Out of 22,901 children assessed, 8.92% were diagnosed with MAM or SAM.
  • Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) prevalence was significantly higher in North Gaza/Gaza City (15.7%) compared to South/Middle Gaza (0.4%).
  • Factors associated with SAM in North Gaza/Gaza City included paternal death and younger age (<6 months).

Conclusions:

  • A substantial proportion of young children in Gaza exhibit signs of acute malnutrition, with disproportionately higher rates in the northern areas.
  • The findings underscore the severe impact of conflict, bombings, and aid restrictions on child nutrition.
  • Immediate cessation of hostilities and unimpeded humanitarian aid are crucial to mitigate the escalating malnutrition crisis in Gaza.
Abstract

Keywords:
Child healthGlobal HealthNutritionViolence

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