Eons have passed, and yet the world remains far from being free of malnutrition, particularly maternal and child malnutrition. UNICEF<\/a> estimates that nearly half of all deaths in children under the age of five are due to malnutrition, which makes them more vulnerable to infections and delayed recovery.<\/p>\n
It's time to understand why.<\/p>\n
Malnutrition is a condition where the body is deprived of essential micro and macronutrients required to maintain overall health and bodily functions. It is not a disease or disorder but more of an indication of undernourishment inhibiting normal growth. Anyone can become malnourished, regardless of their age.<\/p>\n
According to the World Health Organization<\/a>, physical conditions like obesity and overweight also come under malnutrition. Since children and infants are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition, the WHO advises optimizing your child's nutritional needs within the first thousand days.<\/p>\n
Severe Acute Malnutrition or SAM<\/strong><\/p>\n
1. Inadequate nutritional intake<\/strong><\/p>\n
In many cases, the child does not receive the required calories due to obvious reasons like:<\/p>\n
2. Calorie retention inability<\/strong><\/p>\n
Poor hygiene and malnourishment often result in stomach infections like diarrhea and colitis, which makes it hard for the child to retain the calories. In some cases, children may lose the ability to absorb and retain nutrients when their body is wracked with more serious conditions like:<\/p>\n
3. Calorie absorption inability<\/strong><\/p>\n
Pre-term babies and children born with congenital heart disease are often malnourished because of their body's inability to absorb the consumed nutrients. This problem is common in children with chronic or severe medical issues and feeding aversions.<\/p>\n
4. Need for medical diet<\/strong><\/p>\n
Sometimes, children need a specially curated diet to help them cope with genetic conditions and rare metabolic issues. Such diet restrictions deprive them of vital nutrients that fuel their physical growth and leave them severely malnourished.<\/p>\n
We cannot emphasize enough the need to shore up a child's nutritional needs right from conception to two years of age. The development of a child will be irrevocably altered by inadequate nutrition after the age of two years.<\/p>\n
Signs That Your Baby is Malnourished<\/strong><\/p>\n
Malnourished children show distinctive warning signs such as:<\/p>\n
Malnutrition can cause irreversible changes in infants and toddlers because these initial years of their lives are crucial to lay a strong foundation for physical, mental, and motor development. Generally, a baby's brain grows most rapidly during the first year of their life. The lack of adequate nutrition to fuel brain development can have long-term effects on the brain.<\/p>\n
Effects of Malnutrition in Infants & Young Children<\/strong><\/p>\n
Children who have faced severe malnutrition in their first two years of life often experience after effects like:<\/p>\n
Also Read: Under The Spotlight: Prevalence of Anemia in Adolescent Girls<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Maternal Health: How Undernutrition Affects Mothers & Babies<\/h2>\n
The World Health Organization defines Maternal Health as \"the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and post-natal period.\" However, the word \"health\" means so much more than a woman's physical health during these stages in her life.<\/p>\n
Their mental and emotional health also contribute to a positive experience and play an indispensable role in helping their infants reach their full potential and well-being. Moreover, a well-nourished mother has the immunity to ward off contagious diseases that can put her children at risk. Adequate nourishment also gives women the physical strength and cognitive ability to bear and deliver children and look after them despite the various challenges they face in life.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, maternal malnutrition poses several threats to the quality of life of the mother and her child. The adverse effects can range from fetal and maternal complications during pregnancy, difficulties during labor, and poor postpartum recovery to functional and skeletal abnormalities in infants. The prevalence of maternal overweight and obesity has also been linked to childhood obesity, which may persist into the early adult years.<\/p>\n
Consequences of Maternal Undernutrition<\/strong><\/p>\n
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- Complications during pregnancy result in the birth of underweight infants<\/li>\n
- Lack of adequate breast milk to nourish the newborn child, which increases the child's risk for malnutrition and poor immunity<\/li>\n
- Higher risk of maternal and infant mortality during pregnancy or labor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Maternal malnutrition can become a vicious cycle if not dealt with immediately. A malnourished mother can pass on the effects of undernutrition from one generation to another. This vicious cycle is evident in children with stunted physical and mental development in the later years of their lives.<\/p>\n
Like aftershocks of an earthquake, children of malnourished mothers often remain vulnerable to diseases, exhibit poor academic interest, and are less productive as adults.<\/p>\n
REAN Foundation: Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Maternal & Child Malnutrition<\/h3>\n
Nipping the effects of malnutrition and breaking this malicious cycle is a herculean challenge but not an impossible one. There's a lot of groundwork to be done on many levels. Focussing on the nutritional aspects alone will not help. We need to take a multidisciplinary approach to improve awareness, hygiene, sanitation, overall well-being, and the use of resources.<\/p>\n
REAN Foundation<\/a> collaborates with several NGOs and charitable organizations. We strive to make small to significant changes in the lives of underprivileged communities with barely any access to proper healthcare.<\/p>\n
Maternal Health & Child Undernutrition: Challenges & Solutions<\/a><\/blockquote>