I agree with the quote mentioned. Nutrition is vital to everyone, especially to children who are still growing and developing. Specifically, the first 1000 days of life is known as a period of “rapid growth and development, high nutritional requirements, greater susceptibility to infections, high sensitivity to programming effects and full dependence on others for care, nutrition, and social interaction” (Martorell, 2017). It is when the foundations to good health, neurodevelopment, and growth are being established (Cusick & Georgieff, 2013). To support this foundation, nutrition is an important component that should be considered. Malnutrition, however, can weaken this foundation, leading to stunting, child and adult health risks, and substantial loss of neurodevelopmental potential. According to Scott (2020), the first 1000 days of life is the key to lasting health and wellbeing. It is a crucial time to supplement the body with the nutrition that it needs to keep the body healthy, protect from infections, and meet its requirements for normal growth and development.
Therefore, as student nurses, we must advocate for good and proper nutrition. Nurses play a vital role in promoting maternal and child health. Informing the mother about the importance of good nutrition for their children and the key to it, such as breastfeeding, could go a long way. A good nutritional foundation and care during childhood could pave the path towards healthy growth and development.
References
Cusick, S., & Georgieff, M. K. (2013, April 12). The first 1,000 Days of Life: The brain's window of opportunity. The first 1,000 days of life: The brain’s window of opportunity. https://www.unicef-irc.org/article/958-the-first-1000-days-of-life-the-brains-window-of-opportunity.html
Martorell, R. (2017). Improved nutrition in the first 1000 days and adult human capital and health. American Journal of Human Biology, 29(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.22952
Scott, J. A. (2020). The first 1000 days: A critical period of nutritional opportunity and vulnerability. Nutrition & Dietetics, 77(3), 295–297. https://doi.org/10.1111/1747-0080.12617