Tackling malnutrition and its consequences

Malnutrition, in all forms, is a major contributor to disease and early deaths for mothers and children. Undernutrition, including vitamin and mineral deficiencies, contributes to about one third of all child deaths, and impairs healthy development and life-long productivity. At the same time, growing rates of overweight are linked to a rise in chronic diseases. The result is a double burden of malnutrition.
A key indicator of chronic malnutrition is stunting — when children are too short for their age group compared to the World Health Organisation (WHO) child growth standards. About 165 million children globally are stunted, according to 2011 figures, resulting from not enough food, a vitamin- and mineral-poor diet, inadequate child care and disease. As growth slows down, brain development lags and stunted children learn poorly.
For healthier babies, WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for six months, introducing age-appropriate and safe complementary foods at six months, and continuing breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond. Worldwide, about 20% of deaths among children under-five could be avoided if these feeding guidelines are followed. Appropriate feeding decreases rates of stunting and obesity and stimulates intellectual development in young children.
The rise in overweight and obesity-another face of malnutrition worldwide is also a major public health challenge. People of all ages and backgrounds face this form of malnutrition. As a consequence, rates of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other diet-related conditions are escalating worldwide.
Often poor information leads to poor nutrition. Thus, awareness on proper nutrition through locally available food is crucial to tackle malnutrition.

Source: World Health Organisation