Effects of Malnutrion
1.0 Background
Worldwide, children less than five years of age are known to be vulnerable and susceptible in many respects, especially on matters of health. Nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition have been identified to generally affect children more than any other group. This is primarily due to poor nutrition which has been identified to occur most in developing countries, as well as in more prosperous areas of the world. WHO Progress Report (2002) indicates that hunger and malnutrition remain the most devastating problems to the world’s poor and needy.
Prevalence of malnutrition among under-five children is very high in many developing countries of the World and remains a huge challenge in many of these countries (Babatunde et al., 2011). It is estimated that about 230 million under-five children are believed to be chronically malnourished in developing countries (Van de Poel et. al., 2008). Similarly, according to the FAO, about 54% of deaths among children of this age group are believed to be associated with malnutrition in developing countries (FAO, 2008). In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, 41% of under-five children are malnourished and deaths from malnutrition are increasing on daily basis in the region (FAO, 2008).
Nutrition is the sum total of the processes involved in the intake and utilization of food substances by living organisms, including ingestion, digestion, absorption, transport and metabolism of nutrients found in food (Melvin, 2005). Adequate nutrition during early childhood is fundamental to the development of each child’s potential. It is established that the period from birth to two years of age is a “critical window” for the promotion of optimal growth, health and overall survival of children (Ali et al., 2006).
Good nutrition is the cornerstone for survival, health and development for current and succeeding generations. Well-nourished children perform better in school, grow into healthy adults and in turn give their children a better
Worldwide, children less than five years of age are known to be vulnerable and susceptible in many respects, especially on matters of health. Nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition have been identified to generally affect children more than any other group. This is primarily due to poor nutrition which has been identified to occur most in developing countries, as well as in more prosperous areas of the world. WHO Progress Report (2002) indicates that hunger and malnutrition remain the most devastating problems to the world’s poor and needy.
Prevalence of malnutrition among under-five children is very high in many developing countries of the World and remains a huge challenge in many of these countries (Babatunde et al., 2011). It is estimated that about 230 million under-five children are believed to be chronically malnourished in developing countries (Van de Poel et. al., 2008). Similarly, according to the FAO, about 54% of deaths among children of this age group are believed to be associated with malnutrition in developing countries (FAO, 2008). In Sub-Saharan Africa alone, 41% of under-five children are malnourished and deaths from malnutrition are increasing on daily basis in the region (FAO, 2008).
Nutrition is the sum total of the processes involved in the intake and utilization of food substances by living organisms, including ingestion, digestion, absorption, transport and metabolism of nutrients found in food (Melvin, 2005). Adequate nutrition during early childhood is fundamental to the development of each child’s potential. It is established that the period from birth to two years of age is a “critical window” for the promotion of optimal growth, health and overall survival of children (Ali et al., 2006).
Good nutrition is the cornerstone for survival, health and development for current and succeeding generations. Well-nourished children perform better in school, grow into healthy adults and in turn give their children a better