Andean malnutrition a drag on economic growth -UN
Source: Reuters
LIMA, Peru, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Andean governments' failure to eradicate chronic malnutrition is holding back regional economic growth and causing a significant loss in productivity, the United Nations said on Thursday. "The cost to countries from failing to eradicate under-nutrition is a staggering 6 percent of GDP," said Pedro Medrano, Latin American director of the United Nations World Food Program, after meeting Peruvian President Alan Garcia. "Not only is under-nutrition impeding the development of individuals, it is acting as a brake on economic development" in Andean countries, he added. One in five children in the Andean region suffers from chronic malnutrition and more than half of children in some of Peru's mountain and jungle regions are severely malnourished, according to the WFP. The Andean region -- Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela -- is enjoying a strong run of economic growth due to high prices for its oil and mineral exports. But many people in the region complain this has not translated into real gains such as better diets, schools and hospitals. (Additional reporting by Robin Emmott)
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