it describes the progress made in the region in two key areas i food insecurity and hunger based on the prevalence of undernourishment pou indicator and level of severe food insecurity shown by the food insecurity experience scale fies and ii malnutrition based on sdg indicator on stunting and sdg indicator on wasting and overweight among children younger than five it also considers the state of micronutrient deficiency including anaemia and deficiencies in vitamin a zinc and iodine as well as possible undernutrition outcomes such as low birth weight all countries in the region have made considerable progress in reducing the incidence of food insecurity