A recent study cited by the Shargh newspaper on Tuesday found increasing levels of malnutrition and poor regular access to healthy food in Iran as the country grapples with deepening economic challenges.
Shargh newspaper published results of a study on Tuesday, with data collected from different parts in Iran on food intake and access to nutrition.
The daily cited non-governmental organizations and volunteers as having carried out the research, without elaborating.
The report said only 1.7% of households reported daily protein consumption while 27% of all households said they do not consume any kind of protein.
Among households with temporary employment, more than 93% consume protein less than once a week or not at all. In unemployed households, this figure rises to 95%.
No dairy
Iranians face ever-rising prices with inflation around 40%, according to officials. The national currency Rial has lost over 90% of its value since US sanctions were reimposed in 2018.
Dairy consumption is also low, posing a serious nutritional crisis for children.
According to the report, only 2% of children consume daily dairy, and 50% receive none at all, even among households with stable jobs.
The study said that among families classed as living in food poverty, 43% endured what it classed as economic hardship, 32% involved earning-age parents experiencing unemployment and 6% were effected by some form of addiction.
Based on the findings, more than 80% of responses directly or indirectly point to the lack of stable income and employment as the major reason for malnutrition.
Disparity in access
Only 1.7% of households consume protein daily, the report added, with 26.9% consuming no protein at all. Among households with temporary jobs, over 93% consume protein less than once a week or not at all.
“Essentials like meat, chicken, milk, and cheese are gone. Some used to buy scraps or expired chicken, but now even those are unaffordable. Fruit and vegetables, too, are out of reach,” Shargh quoted Reyhaneh Shirazi, a social activist in Tehran’s Darvazeh Ghar district, as saying.
“We see more children with serious stomach aches linked directly to poor diets.” Shirazi added. "Once, food aid was for rare cases. Now it’s common, which is shocking."
Access and affordability
“No one buys meat. If they can afford anything, it's chicken. Maybe if someone donates meat. Fruit is a luxury except watermelon, which grows locally," said a teacher near Kerman.
"Vegetables are rarely consumed. Food is mostly lentils and bread. Breakfast is nonexistent. Illnesses tied to nutrition are high, especially in children."
Parisa Ahmadi, a social worker in Shiraz, says iron and vitamin deficiencies are widespread.
“Parents are street vendors, and kids also work. Doctors confirm they suffer from severe malnutrition, iron and vitamin deficiency, which effects physical and cognitive development," she said. "Common meals are eggplant, beans, lentils and pasta. Meat and eggs once a month. Rice is rare.”
Worst malnutrition cases
Child rights advocate and social entrepreneur Faezeh Derakhshani launched a creative program turning surplus fruit into dried fruit for kids, according to the paper. Her team distributed 130 kg (286 pounds) of dried fruit to kindergartens in Sistan and Baluchistan province.
“There’s no detailed report on kids' intake of meat, dairy, and fruits in Iran. Besides protein-energy malnutrition, we have micronutrient malnutrition, which is less visible but has lasting effects. Zinc, iron and vitamin A and D deficiencies lead to weak immunity, poor learning and stunted growth.”
