Malnutrition plagues Guatemala

Guatemala has the highest rate of chronic malnutrition among children in Latin America, and the health consequences continue on through adulthood.

Awareness about malnutrition has grown, but necessary monitoring has no been put into place to see if the situation is improving, Botran said. The food security office has helped connect stake holders and runs initiatives to provide fortified foods and educate the population.

USAID also contributes between $16 to $18 million a year in food assistance to the country, including some higher protein commodities like beans and grains fortified with soy.

Still, says Chessa Lutter, regional advisor for the Pan American Health Organization, Guatemala continues to have some of the poorest nutrition indicators in the region and once a child has been malnourished through crucial early development, it has long-lasting implications.

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