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Poor diets 'kill 3.5m children' | |
(about 10 hours later) | |
A third of child deaths globally are caused by poor nutrition, experts warn. | A third of child deaths globally are caused by poor nutrition, experts warn. |
Around 3.5 million children die every year because of lack of food or poor quality food, a problem which starts in the womb, studies show. | Around 3.5 million children die every year because of lack of food or poor quality food, a problem which starts in the womb, studies show. |
Yet 25% of these deaths could be prevented with simple steps such as breastfeeding and vitamin A supplements, the Lancet reports. | |
The majority of undernourished children and pregnant women live in just 20 countries across Africa and Asia. | The majority of undernourished children and pregnant women live in just 20 countries across Africa and Asia. |
A special series in The Lancet also reported that poor nutrition in infancy leads to irreversible damage in later life. | A special series in The Lancet also reported that poor nutrition in infancy leads to irreversible damage in later life. |
Having an undernourished mother or infant causes irreversible damage even if nutrition improves later in childhood Professor Caroline Fall, University of Southampton | Having an undernourished mother or infant causes irreversible damage even if nutrition improves later in childhood Professor Caroline Fall, University of Southampton |
Children who are under-nourished are likely to have shorter height and do less well at school, reducing their economic potential and perpetuating the poverty cycle, analysis found. | Children who are under-nourished are likely to have shorter height and do less well at school, reducing their economic potential and perpetuating the poverty cycle, analysis found. |
A separate study found "convincing evidence" for several measures which could have a big impact on reducing deaths if implemented properly. | A separate study found "convincing evidence" for several measures which could have a big impact on reducing deaths if implemented properly. |
Zinc and vitamin A supplements as well as encouraging women to breastfeed for at least six months would cut deaths and the loss of years through disability by a quarter, the researchers concluded. | Zinc and vitamin A supplements as well as encouraging women to breastfeed for at least six months would cut deaths and the loss of years through disability by a quarter, the researchers concluded. |
But the international response to child deaths from poor nutrition has been "fragmented and dysfunctional", experts warned. | But the international response to child deaths from poor nutrition has been "fragmented and dysfunctional", experts warned. |
Global burden | Global burden |
Some children die because they simply do not have enough food. | Some children die because they simply do not have enough food. |
But the issue is more complex for other children who suffer stunted growth and illnesses associated with deficiencies of vital vitamins and minerals. | But the issue is more complex for other children who suffer stunted growth and illnesses associated with deficiencies of vital vitamins and minerals. |
The problem can be exacerbated by poor sanitation which spreads infectious diseases that cause diarrhoea. | The problem can be exacerbated by poor sanitation which spreads infectious diseases that cause diarrhoea. |
Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Aga Khan University in Pakistan estimated that 1.4 million child deaths annually are caused by a lack of breastfeeding. | Professor Zulfiqar Bhutta, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health at Aga Khan University in Pakistan estimated that 1.4 million child deaths annually are caused by a lack of breastfeeding. |
In Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean less than a third of children under the age of six months are breastfed exclusively, he said. | In Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean less than a third of children under the age of six months are breastfed exclusively, he said. |
Professor Caroline Fall, from the University of Southampton, who carried out the research into long-term effects of poor nutrition said: "Having an undernourished mother or infant causes irreversible damage even if nutrition improves later in childhood - you don't get the chance to recover much". | Professor Caroline Fall, from the University of Southampton, who carried out the research into long-term effects of poor nutrition said: "Having an undernourished mother or infant causes irreversible damage even if nutrition improves later in childhood - you don't get the chance to recover much". |
Dr Bruce Cogill, a nutrition expert at Unicef, said the global burden caused by under-nutrition was "a call to action". | Dr Bruce Cogill, a nutrition expert at Unicef, said the global burden caused by under-nutrition was "a call to action". |
He added that nutrition programmes were "woefully under-resourced" compared to other global health issues, such as Aids. | He added that nutrition programmes were "woefully under-resourced" compared to other global health issues, such as Aids. |
Professor Simon Cousens, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said the period from conception until 24 months of age was most crucial. | Professor Simon Cousens, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said the period from conception until 24 months of age was most crucial. |
"Countries with a high prevalence of under-nutrition must decide which interventions should be given the highest priority, and ensure their active implementation." | "Countries with a high prevalence of under-nutrition must decide which interventions should be given the highest priority, and ensure their active implementation." |
Save the Children said if trends in Africa continued, 3.7 million more children will be suffering from malnutrition in 2015 than today. | Save the Children said if trends in Africa continued, 3.7 million more children will be suffering from malnutrition in 2015 than today. |
David Mepham, director of policy at the charity said: "Children who are malnourished suffer cognitive impairment, affecting their capacity to learn, and they have much weaker immune systems, making them more vulnerable to disease and early death." | David Mepham, director of policy at the charity said: "Children who are malnourished suffer cognitive impairment, affecting their capacity to learn, and they have much weaker immune systems, making them more vulnerable to disease and early death." |
He called for the UK and EU governments to do more to tackle the problem. | He called for the UK and EU governments to do more to tackle the problem. |
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