Undernourished and Overlooked: A Global Nutrition Crisis in Adolescent Girls and Women

In this report, UNICEF examined the current status, trends, and inequities in the nutritional status of adolescent girls and women of reproductive age (15–49 years of age). It considers the barriers adolescents face in accessing nutritious diets, essential nutrition services, and positive nutrition and care practices. The report emphasizes the need to prioritize access to nutritious and affordable diets for adolescent girls and women. Furthermore, it calls for the protection of adolescent girls and women from nutrient-poor, ultra-processed foods, and for the elimination of discriminatory gender and social norms that undermine access to nutritious diets, nutrition services, and nutrition care.