For the last 30 years, nutritionists have noted that many child deaths are due to the indirect effects of malnutrition on immunity and susceptibility to infection
A 1995 study2 confirmed this link, attributing more than 50 percent of deaths in children younger than five years old to malnutrition, either directly or indirectly. Undernutrition is an underlying cause in the main killers of children - diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, measles and AIDS.
Malnutrition, including vitamin and mineral deficiencies in children younger than five years of age is often the result of a complex set of factors. But most simply put, it stems from poor maternal nutrion, poor feeding practices, too little food, and too much disease
Malnutrition begins in the womb but the process of growth faltering occurs mainly in the first year of life and has lasting impact. Once growth faltering occurs, it is difficult for a child to physically develop at a normal pace. Therefore, an early focus on key infant feeding behaviors - initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding to six months, and complementary feeding thereafter - is essential.
The Lancet, a prestigious medical journal, ran a 2003 series on child survival that estimates that breastfeeding could prevent 13 percent of the deaths in children younger than five years old, or about 1.3 million deaths each year. Breastfeeding ranked first in The Lancet's list of prevention interventions. Complementary feeding ranked third place in The Lancet series in terms of key prevention interventions.
A 1995 study2 confirmed this link, attributing more than 50 percent of deaths in children younger than five years old to malnutrition, either directly or indirectly. Undernutrition is an underlying cause in the main killers of children - diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, measles and AIDS.
Malnutrition, including vitamin and mineral deficiencies in children younger than five years of age is often the result of a complex set of factors. But most simply put, it stems from poor maternal nutrion, poor feeding practices, too little food, and too much disease
Malnutrition begins in the womb but the process of growth faltering occurs mainly in the first year of life and has lasting impact. Once growth faltering occurs, it is difficult for a child to physically develop at a normal pace. Therefore, an early focus on key infant feeding behaviors - initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth, exclusive breastfeeding to six months, and complementary feeding thereafter - is essential.
The Lancet, a prestigious medical journal, ran a 2003 series on child survival that estimates that breastfeeding could prevent 13 percent of the deaths in children younger than five years old, or about 1.3 million deaths each year. Breastfeeding ranked first in The Lancet's list of prevention interventions. Complementary feeding ranked third place in The Lancet series in terms of key prevention interventions.
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