Poor nutrition 'stunting growth'

Alexa Williams
11/11/09
11:02PM

Developing countries have a major problem with malnutrition and over a third of deaths of children less than five years old are due to this. Even children of normal weight receive such poor quality and not nutritious food that it negatively effects their growth. This malnutrition leaves their bodies weak and unable to fight off viruses and diseases that would otherwise be simple for their immune systems to take care of. UNICEF, however, is stating that certain measures could be taken to reduce deaths by a fifth. These steps include promotion of breast feeding and providing access to important food supplements such as Vitamin A and iodized salt to help the development of the brain.



This article really made the solution to the problem of malnutrition seem very simple, and perhaps it is. If it is as simple as promoting breastfeeding and giving them access to supplements, then it is absurd that these measures haven’t been taken on a larger scale. UNICEF is making progress, but for a third of deaths of children less than five years old to be because of malnutrition is unacceptable. South America is making some very big strides towards better nutrition while places like Africa and India are still struggling. More attention needs to be places into those problem areas.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8353594.stm