Consequences of malnutrition in children

Malnutrition in the world

In figures, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1.9 billion adults are overweight or obese, while 462 million people are underweight. What's more, 52 million of children under five years of age present emaciation, 17 million are severely wasted, and 155 million are stunted, while 41 million are overweight or obese.

Up to a 45% of deaths children under the age of five are related to malnutrition. Most are in developing countries, which, in turn, are increasing rates of other types of malnutrition. Malnutrition causes about 7,000 child deaths a day in the world.

Causes of malnutrition

Malnutrition in developing countries is a very important cause of morbidity and mortality. Children tend to eat nutrient-poor diets, without reaching a minimum energy requirement to cope with growth, and to all this is added the high incidence of diseases that make it difficult to absorb vitamins and minerals (such as diarrhea). These factors are responsible for one in three infant deaths in the world.

Those who survive often do so with sequelae that will limit their entire life and also that of their children ... that is why it is often said figuratively that malnutrition is almost a hereditary disease. We all know that it is not a genetic disease, but it is capable of having a very negative impact on the health of the individual, managing to skip generations and perpetuate the cycle of malnutrition, disease and poverty from parents to children.

Types of malnutrition

The term "malnutrition" refers to deficiencies, excesses and imbalances in an individual's caloric and nutrient intake. We have three large groups:

Malnutrition

• Wasting (underweight for height): A young child who is moderately or severely wasted has a higher risk of dying.
• Growth retardation (insufficient height for age): insufficient height for age is called growth retardation. It is the consequence of chronic or recurrent malnutrition, associated with poor socioeconomic conditions, recurrence of diseases and / or inappropriate nutrition or care.
• Underweight (insufficient weight for age). It is more prevalent in developing countries. It usually indicates a recent and serious weight loss, due to the fact that the child has not eaten enough and / or because he has an infectious disease, such as diarrhea, that has caused him to lose weight.

Malnutrition

Related to micronutrient deficiencies (the lack of important vitamins or minerals). It can occur in countries of all conditions, although it is more frequent in developing countries. The body needs micronutrients for proper growth and development. Iodine, la, and iodine are the most important in terms of public health on a global scale.

Overweight, obesity, and diet-related noncommunicable diseases

More prevalent in developed countries but increasing, in recent years, in developing countries. A person is overweight or obese when they weigh more than their height. An abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat can affect health.

Being overweight and obese can be caused by an imbalance between calories consumed (too many) and calories expended (insufficient). Globally, people are increasingly consuming higher calorie foods and beverages, and less physical activity. It is a very serious public health problem.

Consequences of malnutrition

Nutritional deficiencies are not free, and they entail paying a toll, as far as health is concerned, which is not negligible. Children who grow up with malnutrition can develop physical problems due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies and suffer delays in their learning and cognitive development. This affects the potential for physical and intellectual development of both the affected person and their children for life. It is a scourge for the development of many communities, reducing their human potential.

Malnutrition weakens the health of the little ones, makes them vulnerable to diseases that still weaken them, and makes them even more malnourished. School absenteeism increases, learning capacity decreases. They are children without options who become adults without options with great difficulties to progress.

The developmental impacts and the economic, social and medical consequences of malnutrition are severe and long-lasting, for individuals and their families, for communities and for countries.

What can be done…

Malnutrition has a devastating impact on the lives of children in the short and long term. Multiply the chances of suffering from diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, or malaria. That is why malnutrition is one of the worst enemies of child survival.

UNICEF and other international organizations are implementing specific actions to lower the figures of child malnutrition in the world, focusing on these points:

• Infant feeding: promotion of and nutrition not only of children but also of mothers. The first two years of life are critical for proper physical and cognitive development. Optimizing nutrition early in life (particularly the 1,000 days between conception and the child's second anniversary) ensures the best possible start to life, with long-term benefits.
• Micronutrients: the lack of very specific nutrients such as iodine, iron or vitamin A is a "hidden malnutrition", since there may not be an impact on weight but there is at the level of health and cognitive development. Environmental circumstances such as lack of access to certain foods or poor knowledge of nutrition in many families are the cause of this type of deficiency.
• Food safety in emergencies: malnutrition increases dramatically and is more deadly in health or socio-political emergencies. When there is a natural disaster, a drought, a flood or a conflict occurs, that is when the greatest nutritional emergencies are generated. Entities like UNICEF work to get vital supplies to populations in distress as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Led by the WHO and the United Nations Organizations For Food and Agriculture (FAO), the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition calls for policies in six areas of action:

• Create sustainable and resilient food systems for healthy diets.
• Provide social protection and nutritional education to children and families.
• Harmonize health systems and nutrition needs and provide universal coverage of essential nutritional measures.
• Ensure that trade and investment policies improve nutrition.
• Create safe and nurturing environments at all ages.
• Strengthen and promote nutrition governance and accountability everywhere.

• Malnutrition has a devastating impact on the lives of children in the short and long term. Multiply the chances of suffering from diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea or malaria.
• Children who grow up with malnutrition can develop physical problems due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies and suffer delays in their learning and cognitive development. This affects the potential for physical and intellectual development of both the affected person and their children for life.
• Led by WHO and FAO, the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition calls for action.