Review of the South African nutrition policy 1994–2002 and targets for 2007: Achievements and challenges

Primary and secondary nutrition interventions are essential in SouthAfrica, a country with mortality rates of 45.2 deaths per 1000 livebirths and 61 per 1000 for children younger than 5 y and anestimated prevalence of 8.3% for low birth weight. In addition,the National Food Consumption Survey has recently reported thatapproximately one in five children 1 to 9 y of age in SouthAfrica are stunted (21.6%) and 1 in 10 (10.3%) isunderweight for age. The prevalence of stunting was highest in children1 to 3 y old (25.5%) and lowest in those 7 to9 y old (13%). In terms of overnutrition, the surveyalso reported overweight and obesity in 17.1% of the sample atthe national level. In this overview, the focus areas of the IntegratedNutrition Program are examined and critically discussed to determinewhether targets planned for 2002 were met and how they are envisionedto change by2007.