Report Launch: The Business Case for Investment in Nutrition

In its centenary year, Chatham House, in collaboration with Vivid Economics, has launched an exciting new report that reveals the hidden costs of malnutrition in low- and middle-income countries for global business, and the extent to which these costs are recognized and addressed by multinational companies (MNCs).

The report finds that underweight and obesity, together with anaemia and the physical effects of stunting in childhood, significantly reduce productivity among the workforce in low- and middle-income countries. Yet MNCs are routinely overlooking or underestimating this productivity loss and the huge associated costs.

Businesses must do more. Good nutrition is integral to sustainable development and growth, and tackling malnutrition would be a win-win: boosting companies’ bottom lines, readying them for growing scrutiny from investors, and helping to tackle a global problem that claims millions of lives a year. As COVID-19 pushes UN targets to end global hunger and malnutrition even further off-course, now is the time for businesses to step up and improve nutrition in their workforce and beyond.

This webinar presents key findings from the report and is followed by a panel discussion and a Q&A.

Chatham House Centenary:
Throughout our centenary year in 2020, Chatham House celebrates a century of influence, independent analysis and trusted dialogue with a number of exciting initiatives. This event is part of a series of events and research outputs linked to the main goals for our second century, which are to promote sustainable and equitable growth; peaceful and thriving societies; and inclusive and accountable governance.