100 million children have this for lunch everyday

What do poor families in Asian third world countries eat?

Cabbages, peas and rice, which has poor nutritional value, according to Save the Children, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which works to improve the lives of impoverished children around the globe.

Such families eat meals like this twice every day, as they do not have the means to eat three times a day.

At a press launch on Tuesday hosted at the Asian Food Channel (AFC) studio in Orchard Central, the NGO presented its findings in a new report on food concerns and malnutrition in Asia.

According to the report, unless more action is taken over the next 15 years to combat food price rises, half a billion more children would be affected by malnutrition.

The ailment is the underlying cause of a third of child deaths globally.

Currently, half of the world's underweight children live in South Asia. India holds the highest rate of chronic malnutrition among children in the world, at 48 per cent, as 60 million children are affected.

Said Michel Anglade, the NGO's Advocacy and Campaigns Director: "In recent years, dramatic progress has been made to reduce child deaths in Asia, but tackling child malnutrition is essential to keep this momentum…It's high time concerted action is taken to stop millions more children being left unable to fulfill their potential.

CEO and Co-founder of AFC Mara Brown added: "Asian Food Channel has always felt strongly about nutrition…Joining efforts to raise awareness on malnutrition is timely and important."

The report recommended that basic measures be taken to tackle malnutrition and reduce vulnerability to food price spikes, which includes fortifying basic foods with essential minerals or vitamins, encouraging exclusive breastfeeding for children up to six months of age, and better investment in cash transfers.