Malnutrition is concentrated

[NewsWhore]

According to the World Food Program, 85,970 children in the DR are suffering from chronic malnutrition, mainly in the country's major cities. According to the report, "Food and Hunger Atlas," released by the UN organization, 48.7% of all children with malnutrition live in 15 cities. Boca Chica has the highest rate with 4,165 malnourished children. Santo Domingo, the National District, La Vega, Santiago, San Juan de la Maguana and San Cristobal have 43,652 malnourished children. The National District represents 6.3% of the national total with 5,434 children. The province of Santo Domingo has a total of 21,634 malnourished children and when this is added, the total for the National District equals 27,068 or 25.2%. In Santiago there are 7,118 "chronically" malnourished children, 5,905 in San Cristobal, 4,283 in La Vega and 3,114 in San Juan de la Maguana. Factors for the increase in child malnutrition include lack of general health, drinking polluted water, lack of preventive health measures, infections, parasites, illnesses and inconsistent food consumption. An interesting fact highlighted by the report is that households headed by women have a lower rate of malnutrition than households headed by men, and that malnutrition is more common among Dominican boys than girls. In reaction to the report, Economy, Planning and Development Minister Temistocles Montas said the country would use all resources available in order to reduce malnutrition levels in the DR.

More... (http://www.dr1.com/index.html#7)