Malnutrition in children
Kids in developing countries the world over face
malnutrition problems. Malnutrition is about more than
just feeling hungry or not having enough food to eat,
it’s about the inadequate intake of protein that is
necessary to keep the body healthy and build muscle,
calories which is a measure of energy the body needs
and iron for proper blood cell function. A common
association for malnutrition is a skinny thin child, however
malnutrition can present it self in overweight children too. Poor nutrition occurs in developing countries, as well as in more prosperous areas of the world. More than half the childhood deaths in developing countries are related to malnutrition.
If the body does not receive the energy it needs in the form of food, weight loss, mostly due to lack of muscle mass will occur. Children with severe malnutrition have inadequate fat stores and very little muscle. Their bones are prominent and they often have disproportionately large abdomens. Brain development can be impaired, and these children have a high incidence of disease because their bodies cannot fight infection. Malnutrition contributes to the high death rate among children in developing countries.
The body requires micronutrients (small amounts of essential nutrients) from diet because the
body does not make all the products it needs for optimum function. Micronutrients include vitamins A, B, and C, folate, zinc, calcium, iodine, and iron. The 3 major micronutrient deficiencies in the developing world are iron (see below), iodine (deficiency can cause goiter [enlarged thyroid gland] and can lead to death or mental retardation for a developing foetus), and vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency is a serious worldwide medical problem because it is the leading cause of preventable blindness in children. Breastfeeding is recommended to prevent vitamin A deficiency in infants because breast milk is rich in vitamin A. Food fortification and increasing the amounts of fruit and vegetables in the diet are also important ways to reduce vitamin A deficiency in adults. A pregnant woman is especially vulnerable to vitamin A deficiency because her developing foetus uses what vitamin A is available in her body.
Iron deficiency is the most common form of malnutrition. Many individuals lack enough iron in their diet. Malaria and parasitic infections are common contributing causes. Iron deficiency causes
anaemia (low red blood cell count). Anaemia causes fatigue, may cause heart failure in severe cases, and may also affect brain function. Preventing iron deficiency requires an adequate diet including
iron-rich foods such as leafy green vegetables, beans, and red meats. Treatment of iron deficiency may include increasing iron intake through fortified foods and iron supplements.
In Malaysia, for example the Malaysian RDA conducted a survey and found these alarming results: The percentages amongst the children tested for significant underweight, stunting and wasting were 45.3%, 51.6% and 7.8%, respectively. Dietary intakes were less than 2/3 RDA levels for calories, calcium and iron. However, the intakes of protein, vitamin A, vitamin C and niacin exceeded the RDA and the sources for these nutrients were mainly rice, fish and green leafy vegetables. Among the five food groups, only the number of servings from cereals/cereal products/tubers group was achieved while that of the milk/diary products was the worst. Majority of the children (68.7%) had poor, 31.3% had fair and none with excellent diet quality.
In light of these results, the focus is on parents now to ensure their children have sufficient nutritious foods to prevent the onset of further malnutrition.
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