# Child nutrition challenges in sub-Saharan Africa > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/child-nutrition-challenges-in-sub-saharan-africa > Updated: 2026-09-01T15:47:39.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. In sub-Saharan Africa, child nutrition is being heavily impacted by food affordability. While parents are often advised to provide protein, fruits, and vegetables, two-thirds of the continent's population cannot afford a healthy diet. Even the most affordable nutritious foods can cost between two and ten times more per calorie than staples like maize meal. Professor Christine Taljaard-Krugell of North-West University notes that while staple foods provide energy, obtaining essential micronutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin A remains a financial challenge for many households. While certain foods like pulses, dark green leafy vegetables, and small dried fish offer better nutritional value per unit of currency, high-protein foods such as eggs, chicken, and beef remain largely inaccessible to many families. Although school meal programs reached 87 million children in 2024, these interventions often occur too late to address critical nutritional needs during a child's first 1,000 days of life. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-01: Food affordability crisis impacts child nutrition in Africa High costs prevent millions of families in sub-Saharan Africa from accessing nutritious foods, as healthy options can cost up to ten times more per calorie than basic staples like maize meal. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/food-affordability-crisis-impacts-child-nutrition-in-africa ### 2026-08-08: Child nutrition in Asia faces challenges from rising food costs Rising food costs in Asia are causing a shift toward less nutritious diets, threatening child development and long-term economic productivity unless philanthropic capital is better coordinated. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/child-nutrition-in-asia-faces-challenges-from-rising-food-costs --- Cite as: Child nutrition challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/child-nutrition-challenges-in-sub-saharan-africa