Guatemala has one of the worst rates of chronic malnutrition in the world. It's considered an "invisible" problem because its damaging effects are sometimes hard to see. Click through the gallery to learn more about this problem:
Guatemala has one of the worst rates of chronic malnutrition in the world. It's considered an "invisible" problem because its damaging effects are sometimes hard to see. Click through the gallery to learn more about this problem:
Josh Estey/CARE
Poverty and lack of access to land are major factors. Many families don't have the means to purchase or grow enough healthful foods.
Poverty and lack of access to land are major factors. Many families don't have the means to purchase or grow enough healthful foods.
Josh Estey/CARE
Chronic malnutrition is most prevalent in indigenous Mayan communities, affecting at least seven out of every 10 children.
Chronic malnutrition is most prevalent in indigenous Mayan communities, affecting at least seven out of every 10 children.
Josh Estey/CARE
Unlike children who suffer from acute malnutrition, or a severe food shortage, many Guatemalan children are eating enough calories. But they're not necessarily the right ones.
Unlike children who suffer from acute malnutrition, or a severe food shortage, many Guatemalan children are eating enough calories. But they're not necessarily the right ones.
Josh Estey/CARE
Corn and beans are crucial food staples in Guatemala. They can ward off hunger but don't provide the full range of nutrients needed for a healthy life.
Corn and beans are crucial food staples in Guatemala. They can ward off hunger but don't provide the full range of nutrients needed for a healthy life.
Josh Estey/CARE
If children are malnourished at a young age, it can lead to a condition called stunting. They won't grow as tall as they should and can suffer lasting cognitive impairment.
If children are malnourished at a young age, it can lead to a condition called stunting. They won't grow as tall as they should and can suffer lasting cognitive impairment.
Josh Estey/CARE
A lack of clean water and sanitation also contributes to stunting. Contaminated water can cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal diseases that wash away nutrients.
A lack of clean water and sanitation also contributes to stunting. Contaminated water can cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal diseases that wash away nutrients.
Josh Estey/CARE
Experts agree there's a critical window of opportunity to prevent stunting. It's known as "1,000 days," a period beginning at conception and lasting through a child's second birthday.
Experts agree there's a critical window of opportunity to prevent stunting. It's known as "1,000 days," a period beginning at conception and lasting through a child's second birthday.
Josh Estey/CARE
Prenatal care, exclusive breastfeeding during a baby's first six months and proper subsequent feeding practices are all essential to preventing stunting.
Prenatal care, exclusive breastfeeding during a baby's first six months and proper subsequent feeding practices are all essential to preventing stunting.
Josh Estey/CARE
Access to health care is difficult for many rural Guatemalan families. Hospitals are usually far away, and even the cost of a bus ticket can be prohibitively expensive.
Access to health care is difficult for many rural Guatemalan families. Hospitals are usually far away, and even the cost of a bus ticket can be prohibitively expensive.
Josh Estey/CARE
Aid groups such as CARE provide a critical link between impoverished communities and health facilities, helping educate families about child and maternal health issues.
Aid groups such as CARE provide a critical link between impoverished communities and health facilities, helping educate families about child and maternal health issues.
Josh Estey/CARE
Guatemala's stunting crisis is concentrated in poor communities, but it affects the entire country. CARE estimates it costs Guatemala $3 billion a year, much of that in lost productivity.
Guatemala's stunting crisis is concentrated in poor communities, but it affects the entire country. CARE estimates it costs Guatemala $3 billion a year, much of that in lost productivity.
Josh Estey/CARE
As Save the Children says, prevention efforts are not only a smart financial investment but also a moral imperative. Children everywhere deserve the right to realize their full potential.
As Save the Children says, prevention efforts are not only a smart financial investment but also a moral imperative. Children everywhere deserve the right to realize their full potential.
Jane Nix/CNN