The Impact of Poor Sanitation on Nutrition

Abstract

With 165 million children suffering from chronic undernutrition and 52 million suffering from acute malnutrition, more concerted and cross-sectoral action is needed. Improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in the context of nutrition programming offers one important opportunity to do this. This paper summarises the evidence for the impact of poor sanitation on nutritional outcomes - with a spotlight on India - and highlights the potential offered by greater integration of WASH within nutrition policy and programmes. It offers recommendations for policymakers, practitioners and researchers. This brief was first produced with UNICEF India as a background paper for the STOP Stunting Conference held in Delhi in November 2014.

Citation

Chitty, A. The Impact of Poor Sanitation on Nutrition. London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK (2015) 12 pp.

The Impact of Poor Sanitation on Nutrition

Published 1 January 2015