Half of Belizean Children Regularly Eat Unhealthy Foods, New Report Finds

The latest findings from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS7) are raising alarms about the nutritional well-being of Belize’s youngest children. According to the report, 50 percent of children between the ages of 6 and 23 months regularly consume unhealthy foods, an issue experts say contributes to long-term health risks and developmental challenges.

Equally concerning is the revelation that 26 percent of children in this age group do not consume vegetables at all, highlighting gaps in dietary diversity and access to nutritious options.

Dr. Leopold Perriott , National MICS Consultant, UNICEF: “There are two types of food poverty, I suppose. There’s the moderate food poverty, we have a number of food groups and if the individual is lacking or receives less than four, between three and four from the food groups then we say those individuals have a moderate food poverty. And on the other hand, if they receive two or less from the food groups the individuals are classified as having severe food poverty. We  are having issues in females? Well, issues all across the board like that, but certainly a bit more pronounced in females at 10.7% for the severe food poverty. The Maya seems to have a problem. When I did this, I just listed a few of the high end loads. The Maya had a severe food poverty at 14.0%. Sweet beverages, unhealthy food like snacks, and things of that sort that people just love, including me. And then, of course, zero vegetables. And those are the numbers we have. Over half the children or 61.1% of the children just love a sweet beverage.” 

Health officials say early childhood nutrition is critical, as the first two years of life shape a child’s physical growth, immune development, and cognitive abilities. Poor feeding habits during this stage can lead to stunting, obesity, and chronic illnesses later in life.  Nutritionists and child advocates are urging families, communities, and policymakers to intensify efforts to promote healthy feeding practices, particularly in low-income households where food choices are often limited.  The MICS7 data is expected to guide ongoing national strategies aimed at improving food security, strengthening public awareness, and ensuring that Belize’s children have access to the nutritious foods they need to thrive./