Nutrition is particularly important for children because they are still growing and developing. A lack of nutritious food with all the essential micronutrients can result in a child’s normal development being impaired, resulting in ill health, disability, inability to benefit from educational opportunities, or death. Parents and families have the primary duty to make sure that their children have food. The government has a duty to support parents in feeding their children if they are unable to do so.

Children living in households where there is child hunger

This indicator shows the number and proportion of children living in households where children were reported to go hungry “sometimes”, “often” or “always” because there wasn’t enough food.

Low birth-weight

The low birth-weight rate refers to the proportion of babies born alive who weigh less than 2,500g at birth.

Proportion of children whose growth is stunted

This indicator refers to children aged 1 – 9 years whose height is below the mean height for their age. It distinguishes between children who are stunted and severely stunted.

Proportion of children who are wasted

This indicator refers to children aged 1 – 9 years whose weight is below the mean weight for their height, i.e., children who are wasted and severely wasted.

Proportion of children who are iron deficient

This indicator reflects the percentage of children aged 1 - 9 years who are iron deficient or suffer from anaemia due to iron deficiency.

Proportion of children who are vitamin A deficient

This indicator refers to the percentage of children aged 1 – 9 years who suffer from vitamin A deficiency. The data reflects that vitamin A deficiency among children is a growing public health problem in South Africa.