The Cost of the Double Burden of Malnutrition

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the World Food Programme (WFP) partnered to assess the human and economic impact of the double burden of malnutrition for the first time.

The study estimates the effects and costs of malnutrition on health, education and productivity. It draws on a methodology originally designed to measure the cost of child undernutrition, updating it to include the impact of overweight and obesity. In this pilot study, three countries are analysed: Chile, Ecuador and Mexico. The methodology can be replicated for other countries in the region and internationally.

The objective is to utilize the results to inform government and policymakers of the comprehensive impact of malnutrition on individuals, families, and economies of nations, facilitating information to e ectively respond to this multifaceted problem. It also intends to draw attention to the importance of the food industry’s participation in this response to ensure consistent messaging on nutrition from the public and private sectors alike.