Undernutrition
UNICEF defines undernutrition "as the outcome of insufficient food intake (hunger) and repeated infectious diseases. Under nutrition includes being underweight for one's age, too short for one's age (stunted), dangerously thin (wasted), and deficient in vitamins and minerals (micronutrient malnutrient).[2] Under nutrition causes 53% of deaths of children under five across the world.[2] It has been estimated that undernutrition is the underlying cause for 35% of child deaths.[97] The Maternal and Child Nutrition Study Group estimate that under nutrition, "including fetal growth restriction, stunting, wasting, deficiencies of vitamin A and zinc along with suboptimum breastfeeding—is a cause of 3.1 million child deaths and infant mortality, or 45% of all child deaths in 2011".[95]
When humans are undernourished, they no longer maintain normal bodily functions, such as growth, resistance to infection, or have satisfactory performance in school or work.[2] Major causes of under nutrition in young children include lack of proper breast feeding for infants and illnesses such as diarrhea, pneumonia, malaria, and HIV/AIDS.[2] According to UNICEF 146 million children across the globe, that one out of four under the age of five, are underweight.[2] The number of underweight children has decreased since 1990, from 33 percent to 28 percent between 1990 and 2004.[2] Underweight and stunted children are more susceptible to infection, more likely to fall behind in school, more likely to become overweight and develop non-infectious diseases, and ultimately earn less than their non-stunted coworkers.[98] Therefore, undernutrition can accumulate deficiencies in health which results in less productive individuals and societies[2]
Many children are born with the inherent disadvantage of low birth weight, often caused by intrauterine growth restriction and poor maternal nutrition, which results in worse growth, development, and health throughout the course of their lifetime.[90] Children born at low birthweight (less than 5.5 pounds or 2.5 kg), are less likely to be healthy and are more susceptible to disease and early death.[2] Those born at low birthweight also are likely to have a depressed immune system, which can increase their chances of heart disease and diabetes later on in life.[2] Because 96% of low birthweight occurs in the developing world, low birthweight is associated with being born to a mother in poverty with poor nutritional status that has had to perform demanding labor.[2]
Stunting and other forms of undernutrition reduces a child's chance of survival and hinders their optimal growth and health.[98] Stunting has demonstrated association with poor brain development, which reduces cognitive ability, academic performance, and eventually earning potential.[98] Important determinants of stunting include the quality and frequency of infant and child feeding, infectious disease susceptibility, and the mother's nutrition and health status.[98] Undernourished mothers are more likely to birth stunted children, perpetuating a cycle of undernutrition and poverty.[98] Stunted children are more likely to develop obesity and chronic diseases upon reaching adulthood.[98] Therefore, malnutrition resulting in stunting can further worsen the obesity epidemic, especially in low and middle income countries.[98] This creates even new economic and social challenges for vulnerable impoverished groups.[98]
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