Effects of malnutrition on economic productivity in China as estimated by PROFILES

Abstract

Objective: To calculate the effects of malnutrition on economic productivity in China.

Methods: PROFILES was used to quantify the function consequences of malnutrition in term of protein energy malnutrition, iron deficiency and iodine deficiency.

Results: Productivity gained due to improved iodine nutrition. The reduction in the TGR in 1992 to 2001 increased the net present value of further economic productivity by yen 142 billion. Reduction of the TGR rate to 5% over next 10 years would result in future productivity gains with value of yen 40 billion. Productivity gain due to reductions in child stunting would result in future economic productivity gains with the value of yen 101 billion. Reducing stunting further over the next 10 years would gain yen 20 billion. Productivity gain due to reduction of iron deficiency anemia reduced by 30% over the next 10 years would gain worth yen 107 billion and if childhood anemia reduced by 30% over next 10 years would gain yen 348 billion.

Conclusion: These interventions have huge economic payoff. That is likely to exceed their costs many times over.