The action and its aims
The aim of this project is to decrease Chronic Child Malnutrition (CCM).
The project’s objectives are geared toward fostering children’s growth by means of:
– offering a daily locally sourced snack
– providing nutritional guidance to families
– advocating for family gardens
– delivering comprehensive medical and dental care
When it was introduced
The project Happy Bellies was introduced in 2017 and is ongoing.
Why it was needed
Within Ecuador, Chronic Child Malnutrition affects a significant portion of children under the age of two, encompassing 1 in 3. Chone is no exception, with the project’s baseline revealing that out of 530 participating children, 5% experience chronic malnutrition, 3% suffer from overall malnutrition, 3% grapple with acute malnutrition, 2% face obesity, and an additional 2% are dealing with overweight.
Who initiated it, who is involved
Happy bellies is spearheaded by the Municipal Government of Chone, Ecuador, in partnership with citizens, the FAO, the District Directorate of the Ministry of Health, private enterprises, and corporations
Impacts to date
Within the project, a control group comprising 22 children was formed, exhibiting notable disparities in terms of height and weight growth. There has been successful progress with 5 children, who are now back on the normal growing curve.
