Childhood hunger is a global problem; children suffer from hunger in Asia, Africa, South America, Europe, and even right here in the United States. Hungry children have too few nutrients -- either from lack of secure access to food or from too much of the wrong foods -- their bodies slow down, learning is inhibited, and the likelihood of living in poverty as an adult is increased. In fact, a hungry child, just two-years old, may be permanently stunted -- both physically and mentally. It is estimated that near a billion children globally suffer from hunger. At Two Degrees, we believe it is possible to help these children.

Malnutrition is the number one killer of children under five in the developing world. Community-based Therapeutic Care (CTC) and Ready-to-Use Foods (RUF) have revolutionized how malnutrition is diagnosed and treated. Treating chronic hunger and undernourishment by providing fortified meals to children through school-based health clinics helps dramatically in the prevention of severe malnutrition. By supporting these effective methods, Two Degrees Food is helping hungry children receive the care they need to live and thrive.

Hunger and malnutrition are diagnosed using weight to height ratios for young children, aged 6 months to 5 years old. The Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) is a measurement used to gauge nutritional status during crisis situations in the absence of a weighing scale and height boards. The MUAC band pictured below depicts the color-coded measuring system.