Nutrition Landscape Information System (NLiS)


Costa Rica

NLiS Country Profile: Costa Rica

Child Malnutrition

Child (<5 y) Anthropometry
Indicator Year Value
Low birth weight (<2500 g) (%) 2015 7.5
Overweight (BMI-for-age >+1 SD) in school-age children and adolescents 5-19 years (%) 2016 31.5

Malnutrition in Women

Female malnutrition based on BMI

Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies

Indicator Year Value
Anaemia children <5 y (Hb <110 g/L) (%) 2016 28.7
Anaemia in non-pregnant women (Hb <120 g/L) (%) 2016 14.6
Anaemia in pregnant women (Hb <110 g/L) (%) 2016 24.7
Anaemia in women of reproductive age (%) 2016 14.9
Clinical vitamin A deficiency in women (history of night blindness during most recent pregnancy) (%)   no data
Median urinary iodine concentration in children 6-12 years (μg/L) 1996 233.0
Subclinical vitamin A deficiency in preschool-age children (serum/plasma retinol <0.70 μmol/L) (%) 1996 8.8

Health Services

Indicator Year Value
Births attended by skilled health personnel (%) 2014 99.2
Population using improved drinking-water sources (%) 2015 97.8
Population using improved sanitation facility (%) 2015 94.5
Children aged 1 year immunized against measles (%) 2016 93.0
Any antenatal iron supplementation (%)   no data
Children <5 years with diarrhoea receiving ORT (%) 2011 77.9
Children with diarrhoea receiving zinc (%)   no data
Children aged 6-59 months receiving vitamin A supplements (dose 1) (%)   no data
Children aged 6-59 months receiving vitamin A supplements (dose 2) (%)   no data
Births in baby-friendly facilities (%) 2016 53.0
Mothers of children 0-23 months receiving counselling, support or messages on optimal breastfeeding at least once in the last year (%)   no data

Food Security

Indicator Year Value
Households consuming adequately iodized salt (15 parts per million or more) (%)   no data
Population below the international poverty line (%) 2017 1.0

Caring Practices

Indicator Year Value
Early initiation of breastfeeding within 1 hour of birth (%) 2011 59.6
Introduction to solid, semi-solid or soft foods in infants 6-8 months (%) 2011 89.7
Minimum acceptable diet (MAD) in children 6-23 months (%)   no data
Children with diarrhoea <5 y receiving oral rehydration therapy (ORT) and continued feeding (%) 2011 69.6
No breastfeeding data available for this country

Commitment

Indicator Year Value
General government expenditure on health as % of total government expenditure 2014 23.3
Total expenditure on health as % of gross domestic product 2014 9.3
Per capita total expenditure on health (US$) 2014 1389.3
Nutrition component of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF)   no data
Nutrition component of Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP)   no data
Nutrition Governance score   no data
International Code on Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes: Legal status of the Code 2018 Many provisions in law
Maternity leave 2013 17 weeks

Capacity

Indicator Year Value
Degree training in nutrition exists 2016-2017 Yes
Nutrition is part of medical curricula   no data
Nutrition professionals density (per 100,000 population) 2016-2017 45.2
Nursing and midwifery personnel density per 1,000 population 2013 0.8
GDP per capita (PPP US$) 2018 17,645
GDP per capita annual growth rate (%)   no data
Official development assistance (ODA) received (net disbursements) (% of GNI) 2017 0.2
Low-Income Food-Deficit Country (LIFDC) 2018 No

Meta-indicators

Indicator Year Value
Averaged aggregate governance indicators 2018 0.6
Gender Inequality Index (GII) 2017 0.3
Gender Parity Index in primary level enrolment (ratio of girls to boys) 2018 1
Human development index (HDI) value 2017 0.8
Seats held by women in national parliament (%) 2019 45.6

Female Education Levels

Female education levels: no data available for this country

Education

Education

Under 5 Mortality

Policies & Actions in the Global database on the Implementation of Nutrition Action (GINA)

Policy title Start Year
Plan Estratégico 2015-2018 2015
Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2015-2018 2015
Marco de Asistencia de Naciones Unidas para el Desarrollo 2012
Política de Estado para el Sector Agroalimentario y el Desarrollo Rural Costarricense 2010 - 2021 2011
Decreto Ejecutivo No. 37271-S Oficialización de 'Norma Nacional para Bancos y Centros de Recolección de Leche Humana' 2011
Plan Nacional para la Reducción del Consumo de Sal / Sodio en la población de Costa Rica 2011 - 2021 2011
Plan Nacional de Actividad Física y Salud 2011 - 2021 2011
Politica Nacional de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional 2011-2021 2011
PLAN DE ACCIÓN DE REDUCCIÓN Y CONTROL DE LAS DEFICIENCIAS DE MICRONUTRIENTES 2011 – 2020 2011
Plan Nacional de Salud 2010-2021 2010
Plan Nacional de Desarrollo 2011 - 2014 'María Teresa Obregón Zamora' 2010
Act No. 2, which promulgates the Labour Code, of 27 August 1943 as amended up to Act No. 8886, of 6 December 2010. 2010
Plan anual operativo de la Comisión Nacional del Codex 2009
Política Pública de Lactancia Materna 2008
Publicación de la Resolución No. 201-2007 (COMIECOXLV) Reglamento Técnico Centroamericano RTCA 67.01.15:07 Harinas, Harina de Trigo Fortificada Especificaciones. Decreto Ejecutivo No. 34080 2008
Plan Nacional de Alimentos 2008
Plan Nacional Desnutrición Erradicación Infantil 2008
Marco de Assistencia de las Naciones unidas para el Desarollo. MANUD. 2008
Estrategia 5 al Día Costa Rica 2007
Decreto Nº 33.124/S - Modifica el Decreto Nº 30.031/S, Reglamento para el enriquecimiento del arroz 2006
Política de Alimentación y Nutrición 2006
Plan de Acción Nacional Estrategia Mundial Alimentación, Actividad Física y Salud 2006
Reglamento para el Enriquecimiento del Arroz. Decreto Ejecutivo No. 30031-S 2003
Reglamento para el Enriquecimiento de la Leche de Ganado Vacuno. Decreto Ejecutivo No. 29629-S 2001
Reglamento para el Enriquecimiento de la Harina de Maíz. Decreto Ejecutivo No. 28086 1999
Reglamento técnico para la fortificación con vitamina A del azúcar blanco de plantación para el consumo directo. Decreto Ejecutivo No. 27021-S 1998
Reglamento para el Enriquecimiento de la Harina de Trigo de Calidad Alimentaria. Decreto Ejecutivo No. 26371-S 1997
Estrategia de Educación alimentaría Nutricional: Guías Alimentarias 1997
Plan Agroalimentario Nutricional de Costa Rica 1996
Reglamento Ley N.7430 'Ley de Fomento a la Lactancia Materna' 1995
Ley de Fomento a la Lactancia Materna (No. 7430) 1994
Norma Oficial para la Sal de Calidad Alimentaria. Decreto Ejecutivo No. 18959 1989
Estrategia de Consejos Seguridad Alimentaría Nutricional  
Legislación sobre fortificación de alimentos  
Plan Nacional para la Prevención y abordaje Obesidad  
Progamme title and actions Start Year
GNPR 2016-2017: Promotion of healthy diet and prevention of obesity and diet-related NCDs (q12a) Guías alimentarias para Costa Rica [Dietary guidelines for Costa Rica ] - Food-based dietary guidelines 2010
GNPR 2016-2017: Infant and young child nutrition (q8) - Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) 1994
GNPR 2016-2017: School health and nutrition (q11) Programa de Salud y Nutrición Escolar - Home, school or community gardening 1985
GNPR 2016-2017: School health and nutrition (q11) Programa de Salud y Nutrición Escolar - Monitoring children's growth in schools 1985
GNPR 2016-2017: School health and nutrition (q11) Programa de Salud y Nutrición Escolar - Nutrition education included in school curriculum 1985
GNPR 2016-2017: School health and nutrition (q11) Programa de Salud y Nutrición Escolar - School fruit and vegetable scheme 1985
GNPR 2016-2017: School health and nutrition (q11) Programa de Salud y Nutrición Escolar - Standards for marketing of food and non-alcoholic beverages to children in school setting 1985
GNPR 2016-2017: School health and nutrition (q11) Programa de Salud y Nutrición Escolar - Standards or rules for foods and beverages available in schools 1985
GNPR 2009-2010: Maternal, infant and young child nutrition - Breastfeeding promotion and/or counselling  
GNPR 2009-2010: Maternal, infant and young child nutrition - Complementary feeding promotion and/or counselling  
GNPR 2009-2010: Maternal, infant and young child nutrition - Deworming  
GNPR 2009-2010: Maternal, infant and young child nutrition - Food distribution/supplementation for prevention of acute malnutrition  
GNPR 2009-2010: Maternal, infant and young child nutrition - Management of moderate malnutrition  
GNPR 2009-2010: Maternal, infant and young child nutrition - Management of severe acute malnutrition  
GNPR 2009-2010: Maternal, infant and young child nutrition - Preventive malaria treatment  
GNPR 2009-2010: Maternal, infant and young child nutrition - Promotion and implementation of properly timed cord clamping  
GNPR 2009-2010: Vitamin and mineral nutrition - Calcium supplementation  
GNPR 2009-2010: Vitamin and mineral nutrition - Iron and folic acid supplementation  
GNPR 2009-2010: Vitamin and mineral nutrition - Iron supplementation  
GNPR 2009-2010: Vitamin and mineral nutrition - Vitamin A supplementation  
GNPR 2009-2010: School-based nutrition - Deworming  
GNPR 2009-2010: School-based nutrition - Growth monitoring and promotion  
GNPR 2009-2010: School-based nutrition - Implementation of legislation on marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children  
GNPR 2009-2010: School-based nutrition - Improved food safety at vending places  
GNPR 2009-2010: School-based nutrition - Iron and folic acid supplementation  
GNPR 2009-2010: School-based nutrition - Nutrition-Friendly Schools Initiative (NFSI)/Health promoting schools  
GNPR 2009-2010: School-based nutrition - Provision of safe water  
GNPR 2009-2010: School-based nutrition - School feeding programmes  
GNPR 2009-2010: School-based nutrition - School fruit and vegetable scheme  
GNPR 2009-2010: Obesity and diet-related NCDs - Food-based dietary guidelines  
GNPR 2009-2010: Obesity and diet-related NCDs - Implementation of legislation on marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages to children  
GNPR 2009-2010: Obesity and diet-related NCDs - Media promotion of healthy nutrition  
GNPR 2009-2010: Obesity and diet-related NCDs - Nutrient-based dietary guidelines  
GNPR 2009-2010: Obesity and diet-related NCDs - Nutrition education and counselling  
GNPR 2009-2010: Obesity and diet-related NCDs - Promotion of fruit and vegetable intake  
GNPR 2009-2010: Obesity and diet-related NCDs - Removal/reduction of trans fatty acids  
GNPR 2009-2010: Obesity and diet-related NCDs - Salt reduction  
GNPR 2009-2010: Vitamin and mineral nutrition - Folic acid supplementation  
GNPR 2009-2010: Vitamin and mineral nutrition - Iron and folic acid supplementation  
GNPR 2009-2010: Obesity and diet-related NCDs - Labelling of food products  
GNPR 2009-2010: Maternal, infant and young child nutrition - Promotion of improved hygiene practices including handwashing  
GNPR 2016-2017: Promotion of healthy diet and prevention of obesity and diet-related NCDs (q15) - Reformulation of foods and/or beverages to reduce salt/sodium content  
GNPR 2016-2017: Infant and young child nutrition (q10) - Complementary feeding promotion and/or counselling  
GNPR 2016-2017: Infant and young child nutrition (q6) - Growth monitoring and promotion  
GNPR 2016-2017: Infant and young child nutrition (q7) - Breastfeeding promotion and/or counselling  
GNPR 2016-2017: Infant and young child nutrition (q9a) - Feeding of LBW infants  
GNPR 2016-2017: Infant and young child nutrition (q9b) - Infant feeding in the context of HIV  
GNPR 2016-2017: Infant and young child nutrition (q9c) - Infant feeding in the context of emergencies  
GNPR 2016-2017: Promotion of healthy diet and prevention of obesity and diet-related NCDs (q13) - Nutrition and health claims  
GNPR 2016-2017: Promotion of healthy diet and prevention of obesity and diet-related NCDs (q13) - Nutrient declaration  
GNPR 2016-2017: Promotion of healthy diet and prevention of obesity and diet-related NCDs (q20) Alimentación variada y natural - Media promotion of healthy nutrition  
GNPR 2016-2017: Promotion of healthy diet and prevention of obesity and diet-related NCDs (q21) - Nutrition education and counselling  
GNPR 2016-2017: Prevention and management of acute malnutrition (q37) - Food distribution/supplementation for prevention of acute malnutrition  
GNPR 2016-2017: Prevention and management of acute malnutrition (q38) - Management of moderate malnutrition  
GNPR 2016-2017: Nutrition and infectious disease (q41) - Counselling on nutritional support & care for people living with TB