Poverty and Malnutrition: Trends and Implications in Nigeria.

Poverty is a state of want where human beings are unable to meet their basic needs of household such as social amenities, nutrition and economic infrastructural development needed for survival. Poverty where ever it may exist, rural or urban have serious negative impact on the society. In Nigeria, poverty has a direct relationship with the nutrition and lifestyle of the people. Research study has identified that in Nigeria, 60% live below the so called poverty line, which is meant to be about $1-$2 a day per person. Healthy nutrition and lifestyle which is manifested when people are able to meet their basic needs of household such as social amenities, economic infrastructural development and access to adequate nutrient-rich food needed for survival are lacking in Nigeria. This review paper identified the concept of healthy nutrition. It further focused on the factors that cause poverty and malnutrition and the effects of poverty and hunger on an individual and the economy. The paper then recommends certain methods that can be adopted that to fight poverty and malnutrition in Nigeria. Therefore, any nation that strives for greater height in her development, must tackle the issue of poverty and malnutrition with all seriousness it deserves.