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Child malnutrition continues to impact millions of families globally and remains one of the greatest challenges to children’s health.
Some children lack essential nutrients, while others eat calorie-dense but nutrient-poor diets. Both situations can have lasting effects on a child’s growth and overall well-being.
According to global estimates, around 47 million children under the age of five are malnourished, 144 million experience stunted growth, and 38.3 million are overweight or obese.
Health experts say undernutrition is the cause of nearly 45% of deaths among children in this age group, highlighting the need for early intervention.
A child’s initial years play a crucial role in physical and mental development.
When infants do not receive adequate nutrition, their growth may slow, and the effects can continue throughout life.
In many low- and middle-income countries, children who experience poor nutrition early on may later become overweight if their diets shift toward calorie-rich, nutrient-poor foods.
To monitor healthy development, healthcare professionals depend on the WHO Child Growth Standards. These growth charts (boys and girls, birth to five years) allow doctors to compare a child’s height and weight to healthy growth patterns to identify children who need nutritional support or medical care.
Malnutrition can appear in different forms:
- Stunting happens when long-term poor nutrition prevents a child from reaching their expected height.
- Wasting occurs when a child becomes dangerously thin because of rapid weight loss or inadequate food intake.
On the other hand, children who weigh too much for their height are considered overweight, increasing their risk of developing chronic illnesses later in life.
How to Prevent Malnutrition
Preventing malnutrition requires action at every stage of a child’s life.
Optimal maternal nutrition is vital for the health and well-being of both mother and child. Breastfeeding, nutritious complementary foods, clean drinking water, proper sanitation, and access to healthcare all play an important role.
Although progress has been made over the years, millions of children still lack these basic needs.
A healthy environment with access to basic health, water, hygiene, and sanitation services, as well as opportunities for safe physical activities, such as optimal breastfeeding during the first two years of life, adequate maternal nutrition before and during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, and nutritious, diverse, and safe complementary foods in early childhood.
The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened access to healthy food, making it harder to end malnutrition.
To protect mothers and children, especially in the hardest-hit areas, we must act now to ensure every child gets the nutrition they need.
Also Read: Could Your Family History Be Putting You At Risk Of Kidney Cancer?
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