National Nutrition Survey shows that Pakistan is home to malnutrition with a number of micro-nutrient deficiencies observed in the society. The statistics are not good and show alarming trends in terms of stunting, wasting, being underweight and being deficient in micro-nutrients.

Malnutrition is a problem which needs to be addressed globally. Latest National Nutrition Survey indicates an alarming endemic state in Pakistan, including stunting, wasting and micronutrient malnutrition. National Nutrition Survey shows undernutrition is very prevalent with up to 40.2% stunted growth (low height for age) in children aged under five years and a further 17.7% wasting (low weight for height) in children.

Additionally, the children below the age of five years are up to 28.9% underweight. Furthermore, micronutrient deficiency in children <5 years of age are as follows, anaemia 53.7%, iron deficiency anaemia 28.6%, vitamin A deficiency 51.5%, zinc deficiency 18.6% and vitamin D deficiency 62.7%. Thus, there is an increased need of nutritional supplementation in Pakistani children.

In Pakistan the nutritional status of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) is not great and these women bear a huge burden of malnutrition. The prevalence of anaemia among women of reproductive age is 41.7%. While vitamin D deficiency is at a dreadful level of 79.7%. Moreover, micronutrient deficiency in women of reproductive age are as follows, vitamin A deficiency 27.3%, iron deficiency anaemia 18.2%, Calcium deficiency 26.5% and zinc deficiency 22.1%. These statistics show that there is a dire need to look into this malnutrition matter.