“Good Nutrition is a foundation of a child’s survival, health, and development” What are your insights on this quote?
I agree wholeheartedly that good nutrition is the foundation of a child’s survival, health, and development. Even the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) themselves go out of their way to describe it as the “bedrock” of their survival and development.
Food and nourishment is always essential - to thrive, to develop and even to remotely get through the day. Our sustenance is so highly valued that it is regarded as one of the physiological needs. Accordingly, there are great developmental, economic and medical impacts to promoting nutrition for individuals, families and communities.
Firstly, good nutrition affects the developmental aspects of the population. This is because the essential body parts (such as neural pathways) are built through a proper early diet. Early childhood as the time of rapid growth and physiological changes will require food to be done correctly. Malnutrition, the improper nutrition of an individual, can lead to lifelong developmental delays or disabilities which may affect the capability of a child. This is why breastfeeding is the key element to childhood development - because it supports healthy growth and brain development. An absence to breastfeeding can lead to stunting, wasting, and micronutrient deficiencies that affect a child’s development.
Secondly, good nutrition affects economic development. We know that economic factors such as food price and income influence people’s food choices. These barriers for low-income families may prevent healthier food choices and access to food in general, thus contributing to the cases of malnutrition. As discussed earlier, giving emphasis on child nutrition has an effect on child growth, and therefore affects human capital. This is further proved by studies that show improved proper nourishment is associated with higher wages and higher annual incomes. By having programs for the health and nutrition of women and young children, growth and development is enhanced, which directly increases economic productivity by extension.
Lastly, good nutrition affects health. The triple burden of malnutrition in 2020 through undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and growing prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity can all be given intervention through investment in childhood nutrition. Pre and post natal services such as support for breastfeeding, complementary feeding, micronutrient supplementation, deworming, dietary counseling and maternal nutrition can be given to prevent malnutrition. Accordingly, early detection and intervention through local and national services can drastically reduce the threat of malnutrition we have today.
References
United Nations Children’s Fund. (2020). Nutrition, for Every Child: UNICEF Nutrition Strategy 2020–2030. UNICEF, UNICEF, New York (pdf)
World Health Organization (2021). Malnutrition. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/malnutrition