A new study by researchers at the University of Bonn reveals that sharp increases in food prices during economic crises have severe, long-term impacts on children’s health. Using the example of the Asian financial crisis of the 1990s, scientists found that rising rice prices in Indonesia led to stunted physical development in children.
According to the study, published in the journal Global Food Security, price shocks significantly increased rates of malnutrition. It was found that the rising cost of food during a crisis is directly linked to growth stunting in children.
Particularly noteworthy is the fact that children who experienced nutritional deficiencies at an early age not only remained shorter as adults but also showed a predisposition toward obesity. Scientists explain this through “hidden hunger”: during a crisis, families abandon expensive products rich in vitamins and minerals in favor of cheap, high-calorie foods. This process inhibits growth while simultaneously leading to weight gain.
The study highlighted that price increases hit urban families hardest, as they are entirely dependent on the market, unlike rural populations who have their own subsistence farms. Additionally, the mother’s level of education proved to be a significant factor; children of parents with lower educational backgrounds were found to be much more vulnerable to the deterioration of food quality.
Researchers are calling on governments to ensure that assistance programs are not focused solely on families living below the poverty line. It is crucial to implement “nutrition-sensitive” policies that protect children during critical stages of development.
If food policy focuses only on the quantity of calories rather than the quality of nutrition, it will lead to irreversible damage to public health, such as cognitive impairment and an increased risk of chronic diseases.
Against the backdrop of global conflicts and climate change, this study serves as a vital warning of how economic fluctuations can negatively impact the health of future generations.
