Abstract
Malnutrition is a global public health problem more prevalent in developing countries than in developed countries. Indicators of malnutrition include household food security and life expectancy. Corruption might be one of socio-political problems fuelling malnutrition in developing countries. The aim of this paper is to compare influence of corruption on food security, live expectancy (LE) and population in developed and developing countries. Thirty two least corrupt countries (LCC) and most corrupt countries (MCC) representing developed and developing countries were systematically selected using Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Countries’ data on population, food security index (FSI) and LE scores were obtained from Global food security index (GFSI) and Population reference bureau. T-test, Multivariate (Wilks’ Lambda), Pearson product moment analysis were performed to determine relationship between CPI, FSI, LE, and population in LCC and MCC at p<.05. Data were presented in tables, means and percentages. Mean CPI, Population, FSI, and LE in LCC and MCC were 71.5% and 24.2%; 34.8 and 41.7million; 75.0% and 37.4%; and 78.4years and 62.4years. There was a significant difference between CPI, FSI and LE in LCC and MCC (p < 0.05). CPI had a significant positive relationship with FSI and LE in LCC not MCC. There was also a significant relationship between FSI and LE in MCC. Low CPI influenced high FSI and LE in LCC while Low LE was associated with low FSI in MCC. Policies discouraging corrupt practices and promoting good governance should be embraced to eradicate malnutrition in developing countries.
Highlights
Malnutrition is a global public health problem in developing countries especially Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), India, Afghanistan, and South-Central/South-East Asia [1,2,3]
Countries were included as least corrupt countries (LCC) if they have Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) > 50% and most corrupt countries (MCC) if CPI was
Multivariate regression analysis of relationship between CPI, food security index (FSI), live expectancy (LE) and population in LCC and MCC revealed that there was a significant relationship between low CPI and high FSI and LE in LCC while the reverse was the case in MCC
Summary
Malnutrition is a global public health problem in developing countries especially Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), India, Afghanistan, and South-Central/South-East Asia [1,2,3]. Hidden hunger is a chronic lack of vitamins and minerals that often has no visible warning signs, so that people who suffer from it may not even be aware of it. It is as a result of inadequate intake of micronutrient dense staples and low food diversity. The affluent due to poor nutritional knowledge might eat more carbohydrate, saturated fat, high sugar and salty, ready-to-eat foods These are found in some dining tables, fast foods, restaurants, eateries, supermarkets, and some airplanes. They can only be obtained from daily food intakes in the right proportions Such micronutrients include vitamin A, iron, iodine, zinc, and folate. Its consequences are disastrous: hidden hunger can lead to mental impairment, poor health and productivity, or even death
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