The data of the Multiple Indicator Survey (MICS 2008 by INE) show that 58% of the newborn babies were weighed at birth, and halve of them weighed below 2,500 grams. From 1997 to 2008 the prevalence of low weight in under-fives has gradually decreased. While the prevalence of low weight in under-fives was 26.1% in 1997, it decreased to 23.7 % in 2003. From 2003 to 2008 the rate decreased to 18%. With this progress the country has accelerated the reduction of the prevalence of low weight in under-fives and is on the road to meeting the target of the millennium goal (17%) before 2015.

According to the MICS 2008, the nutritional status of the children under-five years of age in Mozambique has slightly improved. However, according to the classification of the World Health Organization the level of child malnutrition, especially chronic malnutrition (low height-for-age), remains very high.

The incidence of chronic malnutrition  amongst under-fives in 2008 in Mozambique was 44%, and was higher in rural (47.2%) than in urban areas (34.8%). It was also higher amongst boys (46.9%) than girls (40.5%).

The Southern provinces of the country tend to have less chronic malnutrition amongst under-fives than other parts of the country. In 2008, the under-five prevalence of chronic malnutrition was lowest in Maputo City (25%) and in Maputo Province (28%), and highest in Cabo Delgado (56%) and in the most densely populated province of Nampula (51%).

Chronic malnutrition of children under-five years of age is very alarming – prevalence over 50% – amongst the poorest families. Even in the higher wealth quintiles, the rate of low height-for-age in under-fives in 2008 was approximately 26%.

The prevalence of acute malnutrition amongst under-fives in Mozambique has been decreasing smoothly. The results of the MICS 2008 Survey show that the levels of moderate and severe malnutrition in under-fives decreased from 7.9% in 1997 to 5% in 2003 and 4% in 2008. In provincial comparison the acute malnutrition of under-fives is lowest in Gaza Province (1.4%) and Maputo City (1.9%), while Nampula Province has the highest rate, namely 8.9%.

Food Consumption: Situation and trends

Recent data shows that on average the families have had three meals per day, however in the period of food shortages (December to March) this frequency tends to go down to two or even one meal per day (SETSAN/GAV, 2009). The quality of the diet is quite rich in cereals, vegetables and tubers.

The INE data shows that food expenses comprises on average 60-65% of the Mozambican family budget. However, in 2009 food expenses made up about 56% of the total expenses of the rural households. The relative reduction in food expenses was to a large extent due to the high food prices and the reduction of food reserves, mainly for households with low food consumption and low income (SETSAN/GAV, 2009).

It is assumed that the Food Security and Nutrition situation, particularly the quality of the diet, deteriorates due to the increase of the prices of basic products occurred in the last few years, with a tendency to aggravate, particularly in the period of food shortages, from October to February, due to the decrease of the availability of food in that period. The analysis shows that the populations in the urban areas and in the south of the country are the worst affected by the increase of basic food prices, as these groups depend more on the market food.

After the peak prices in 2005 due to low production in 2004-2005, the following two harvest years were characterized by normal variations of cereal prices, essentially due to good agricultural production boosted by the implementation of the Action Plan for Food Production (PAPA). In the 2008-09 harvest year there was a marked increase in the prices of agricultural products, particularly of maize and beans due to the drought in the central and southern regions of the country.

Constraints on the achievement of the targets for 2015

• Weak coordination of the chronic malnutrition interventions.
• Ineffectiveness  of the interventions when reaching the most vulnerable people.
• Low agricultural, animal and fish production and productivity.
• High prices of food.
• Deficient transport of basic food from the production areas to the consumption areas.

Challenges for the achievement of the targets for 2015

• Preparation and implementation of the Multisectoral Strategy for the Reduction of Chronic Malnutrition.
• Preparation of the Bill of Human Rights to Adequate Food (DHAA).
• The enforcement of the national response for the fight against chronic malnutrition amongst under-fives and women in child-bearing age.
• Promotion of nutrition education and adequate food advice.
• Stimulation of sustainable vulnerability reduction measures; and taking into account climate change.
• Strengthening the multisectoral coordination mandate in the scope of the Food Security and Nutrition Strategy.

Positive factors of progress in the indicators

• Food Security and Nutrition situation heads the development agenda of the Government.
• Existence of prevention and response mechanisms for natural disasters, such as droughts, floods, cyclones, etc.

 Source: Report on the Millennium Development Goals - Mozambique 2010