Nutrition Across Borders: Examining the Stark Contrasts Between Malawi and the UAE

Contrasting Nutritional Challenges: A Comparative Study of Malawi and the UAE

Nutrition! A word defined as the process of obtaining the food necessary for health and growth. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that it is the intake of food, considered in relation to the body's dietary needs. While nutrition is a cornerstone of health and well-being, influencing everything from cognitive development to disease resistance, the state of nutrition varies drastically in different societies around the world. In this article we will explore and compare the significant nutrition challenges in Malawi and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), highlighting the stark contrasts between the two.


Nutritional Landscape in Malawi

Malawi, a landlocked country in south-east Africa, which continues to face severe nutritional challenges due to several distinct factors. As food insecurity is a persistent issue. There are several factors that contribute to the alarming nutritional situation in Malawi:

 

1.     Poverty: Over half of the Malawian population lives below the poverty line, which limits the populations access to nutritious food that would be considered for a good diet.

 

2.     Agricultural Dependence: Malawians primarily depend on maize as its their staple food, while on the other hand this a crop vulnerable to climate change, pests, and diseases, leading to frequent food shortages which does not leave the population with many options for a good diet.

 

3.     Malnutrition: High rates of malnutrition are widespread in Malawi, with stunted growth affecting 37% of children under five, indicating chronic undernutrition and a weakened immune system with older people which leaves them prone to other diseases.

 

4.     Limited Dietary Diversity: Diets in Malawi are often monotonous, lacking in fruits, vegetables, and protein sources, which leaves most of the population uninterested, focusing on meals that are not essential for a balanced nutrition.

 

On a brighter note, Malawi has shown limited progress towards diet-related non-communicable disease (NDC) targets. For example, obesity prevalence is low compared to regional averages, with 11% of adult women and 2.7% of adult men live with obesity, 6.9% of adult women and 7.9% of adult men live with diabetes.

 

Nutrition in the UAE

In contrast, the UAE, a wealthy nation in the Middle East, faces different nutrition-related issues to Malawi linked to its luxurious lifestyle. These may include:

 

1.     High Rate of Non-communicable Diseases (NCD's): NCDs such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases are widespread in the UAE. According to Dubai Health Authority (2014), 19% of school-going children are overweight and 15% are obese in Dubai. Additionally, about 34.5% of the adult population is obese. This is due to the UAE’s Sedentary lifestyle.

 

2.     Overnutrition: Excessive calorie intake and consumption of processed foods high in sugar, fat, and salt are quite common, leading to health complications within the fast-growing population.

 

3.     Nutritional Deficiencies: Despite the abundance of food, there are still nutritional deficiencies in the UAE where 26% of non-pregnant women of reproductive age suffer from anaemia, and 29% of pre-school children are anaemic. The deficiency in children is associated with impaired cognitive performance, language development, increased fatigue, elevated risk to infection.

 

The nutritional challenges in Malawi and the UAE emphasise the complexity of global nutrition issues, which vary notably based on socioeconomic conditions, lifestyle, and access to resources. While Malawi struggles with food security the UAE battles with food choice and dietary excess. On the other hand, Malawi undernutrition and nutrient deficiencies are prevalent which impact children's growth and development, and the UAE faces over nutrition with an abundance of food leading to NCDs. Addressing the nutritional challenges in both countries requires tailored strategies:

 What can be done?

For Malawi: Initiatives should focus on improving agricultural resilience, diversifying crops, and daily meals that cater to the body needs, and enhancing healthcare infrastructure. The Sparkle Foundation has recently acquired a farm and looks to diversify food options for the nutrition program. This is the first step to creating a knock-on effect that positively benefits the beneficiaries.


For the UAE: Efforts should concentrate on promoting healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity, and regulating food marketing. Public health campaigns and policies to reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods are crucial. Moreover, addressing issues like eating disorders and unsafe weight-loss methods among children and teenagers is of vital importance.

 

In conclusion, understanding and addressing the nutritional needs of different societies is essential for fostering global health and well-being. By acknowledging the unique challenges faced by countries like Malawi and the UAE, we can work towards creating equitable solutions that ensure everyone has access to the nutrition they need to thrive.


At Sparkle we are only getting started on addressing some of these nutritional challenges faced in Malawi. Support us and help us further our efforts.

Why the Youth Matter: Investing in Malawi's Future Today

By chimwemwe gawa • August 7, 2025
In Malawi, the heartbeat of the nation is undeniably young. With over 70% of the population under the age of 30, and nearly half under 18, we’re one of the youngest countries in the world. That’s both an incredible opportunity and a serious challenge. Without the right support, this “youth bulge” could become a burden. But with the right investment, it could drive Malawi forward in ways we can only begin to imagine. Behind the Numbers On paper, this youthful population sounds like an economic dream. But the reality? Many young people in Malawi are struggling. Youth unemployment is high, with estimates suggesting that over a quarter of those aged 15 to 24 are out of work. Even more are trapped in the informal sector, with few prospects for advancement or stability. These statistics aren’t just numbers. They’re young lives full of potential that’s going unnoticed, untapped, and unfulfilled. That’s a loss not just for them, but for all of us.

What a Child Really Gains from Early Childhood Education

By chimwemwe gawa • July 25, 2025
The early years of a child’s life are incredibly important. It’s during this time that their brain is growing quickly, and they’re beginning to understand how the world works. That’s why early childhood education, or ECD, is so valuable. It’s not just about learning numbers and letters – it’s about building the foundation for everything that comes after. At Sparkle ECD Centre, we see the difference every single day. We see how children grow in confidence, how they start to think for themselves, and how they develop the skills they need to succeed later in life. But we also know what happens when children miss out – and what that means not only for them, but for the country as a whole. They learn how to live with others One of the most important things children gain in ECD is social development. It’s the first time many of them are around other children for long periods, and they begin to learn how to share, take turns and communicate their feelings. These early social skills help them later on – in school, in work, and in everyday life. When children don’t have access to early education, they often struggle with these things. They might find it hard to settle into primary school, make friends, or follow simple rules and routines. They develop strong thinking and communication skills ECD gives children the chance to explore and ask questions. Whether it’s through puzzles, storytelling or imaginative play, they’re constantly learning how to solve problems, remember details and express their thoughts. These early learning experiences are essential for developing language, creativity and curiosity. If a child misses out on this stage, they may arrive at school already behind. They might struggle with reading, writing or understanding instructions – and it can be very difficult to catch up. They start to believe in themselves At Sparkle, we love seeing children take part in career days where they dress up as doctors, builders, teachers or whatever they dream of being. These activities might seem simple, but they give children something powerful – the belief that they can do and be something great. Children who go through ECD are more likely to stay in school, finish their education, and go on to lead fulfilling lives. They become more confident, more curious and more resilient. Without that early encouragement, many children never get the chance to dream big. They get a fairer start in life Unfortunately, not every child in Malawi has access to quality early education. Many miss out on a safe space to play, learn and be looked after. They don’t get the early support that could help them grow – emotionally, socially and academically. At Sparkle, we work with children from 17 villages around Zomba, offering them a chance to start strong. We believe that early education shouldn’t be a privilege, it should be a right. Why this matters for the country When a child gets a strong start, they carry that confidence and knowledge with them. They’re more likely to do well at school, get decent jobs, and support their families. They become active, engaged members of society. But if large numbers of children are left behind at the very beginning, the whole country feels it. It affects education levels, employment, and the economy. It widens the gap between those who have access and those who don’t. Investing in early childhood education isn’t just about helping one child – it’s about building a stronger, fairer Malawi. Final thoughts Early childhood education gives children the building blocks for life. It helps them grow into kind, confident and capable people. Without it, they miss out on crucial experiences – and that missed potential affects all of us. Let’s make sure every child has the chance to start well. Let’s invest in the early years – for their future, and for the future of our nation.

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By chimwemwe gawa • July 11, 2025
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