High temperatures, extreme rainfall threaten child growth in Pakistan: study

ISLAMABAD: Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and extreme precipitation for the last one and a half decades is worsening malnutrition among children under the age of two in Pakistan, leading to increased stunting and wasting, a recent study revealed.

Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the research highlights that each one-degree Celsius rise is linked to a significant decline in a child’s length-for-age z-score (LAZ). Increased precipitation also negatively impacted growth indicators, with malnutrition rates higher in households facing water insecurity, inadequate sanitation, and poor dietary diversity.

Although climate change is a significant factor, experts emphasise that it is not the sole driver of malnutrition, but rather an exacerbating force that worsens existing socio-economic and health challenges. The study highlights how extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, and excessive rainfall are intensifying food insecurity and affecting child health.

The study was conducted by a team of researchers led by Prof. Zulfiqar Bhutta, Founding Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development at Aga Khan University, who linked rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns to poor growth outcomes in children.

Pakistan has faced climate-induced disruptions for over a decade, with erratic monsoons, prolonged droughts, and heatwaves reducing agricultural productivity and exacerbating food shortages. The study analysed data from Pakistan’s National Nutrition Surveys of 2011 and 2018, linking child growth indicators with climate variables such as temperature, rainfall, and soil moisture.

The findings show climatic effects are significantly associated with higher rates of stunting and wasting. Children in regions exposed to extreme heat and irregular rainfall patterns were more likely to suffer from malnutrition due to declining agricultural yields, food scarcity, and rising cases of diarrhoea.

Prof. Bhutta emphasised that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a major public health crisis with serious consequences for child growth and development. However, he noted that multiple factors contribute to malnutrition, including poverty, lack of access to healthcare, food insecurity, and inadequate maternal nutrition, which are further aggravated by climate-related disruptions.

“The slow progress in reducing childhood stunting in Pakistan is not only due to poverty and food insecurity but also climate stressors that have worsened over time. Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns are decreasing food availability, increasing disease prevalence, and compromising household nutrition,” he warned.

Between 2011 and 2018, the study found only a marginal decline in the national stunting rate. In provinces like Sindh and Balochistan, the situation deteriorated, with stunting rates exceeding 40%, and some districts reporting levels as high as 50%. Meanwhile, wasting rates increased nationwide, particularly in regions facing prolonged dry spells and excessive rainfall.

Pakistan’s dependence on rain-fed agriculture makes it vulnerable to climate shocks. Prolonged dry spells and intense monsoons disrupt food production, leading to price fluctuations and nutrient access issues. Experts are urging urgent policy interventions to address climate-related nutritional challenges, enhance agricultural resilience, improve food security, and incorporate climate adaptation into public health strategies.

Prof. Bhutta stressed the need for targeted interventions, including climate-smart agriculture, access to clean drinking water, food fortification, maternal and child nutrition programs to counteract the growing impact of climate change on vulnerable populations.

“Addressing malnutrition requires a multi-sectoral approach that combines climate adaptation, food security, and public health measures. Without urgent action, the burden of childhood stunting and wasting will continue to rise, affecting future generations and hampering Pakistan’s socio-economic development,” he warned.

Climate challenges are prompting experts to call for nutrition-sensitive climate policies and greater investment in sustainable food systems. There’s an urgent need to integrate climate resilience into the national nutrition strategy while addressing the socio-economic factors of malnutrition to safeguard the health of millions of children.