Malnutrition & Vitamin Deficiencies

Malnutrition is estimated to contribute to more than one third of all child deaths, although it is rarely listed as the direct cause. 

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Contributing to more than half of deaths in children worldwide; child malnutrition was associated with 54% of deaths in children in developing countries in 2001. Poverty remains the major contributor to this ill.

Main Deficiencies

Iodine deficiency is the primary cause of preventable brain damage in children. Its most devastating impacts occur during fetal development and in the first few years of a child’s life. Globally, 30 percent of the world’s population live in areas with iodine deficiency. 

Vitamin A deficiency affects about one third of children living in low and middle income settings, mainly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Vitamin A deficiency weakens the immune system and increases a child’s risk of contracting and dying from infections like measles, and diarrhea illnesses.

Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, which increases the risk of hemorrhage and bacterial infection during childbirth and is implicated in maternal deaths. In turn, babies may be born prematurely and suffer from infections, learning disabilities, and delayed development. Almost 40 percent of pregnant women and more than 40 per cent of children under 5 in developing countries are anemic. About half of these cases are estimated to result from iron deficiency. 

Zinc deficiency impairs immune function and is associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal infections. It is also a contributing factor in child deaths due to diarrhea. Zinc deficiency is especially common in lower income countries due to the low dietary intake of zinc-rich foods and inadequate absorption. 

Calcium, vitamin D, and fol-ate deficiencies are a particular concern during pregnancy, and can lead to a number of health complications for both the mother and growing baby.

WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS?

Create awareness and make donations on charities that works on prevention of Childhood Malnutrition

Suggested Videos & Documenteries

Child Malnutrition - What? How?
5 Signs you're not getting enough vitamins

Related links & sources

Unicef: Nutrition and Food Security

World Health Organization: Malnutrition

Obesity

Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.

Get involved 16,449 views
Orphans

Not everyone is called to adopt, but everyone can do something. Here are four great ways to engage your family in showing hope!

Get involved 14,595 views
Malnutrition & Vitamin Deficiencies

Malnutrition is estimated to contribute to more than one third of all child deaths, although it is rarely listed as the direct cause. 

Get involved 15,648 views
Alcoholism

Alcoholism is the inability to control alcohol consumption due to a physical and emotional dependence. Regardless of the severe consequences that accompanies alcoholism, eliminating it is an extreme challenge.

Get involved 18,458 views
Large Scale Conflict and Wars

38.9 percent of those polled ranked the possibility of large-scale war as the most serious global issue. 

Get involved 18,496 views
Smoking Tobacco &  Nicotine Addiction

Nearly 6 million people die of tobacco-related diseases each year, including more than 600,000 nonsmokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke. Smoking has become an extensive epidemic.

Get involved 29,653 views
Climate Change and Destruction of Natural Resources

The Earth's climate has changed throughout history. What about now? You have the power, there are several things that you can do.

Get involved 24,182 views
Sex/Human Trafficking

Many people would say slavery ended after the emancipation of the slaves in 1865, but human slavery still exists today in the form of human/sex trafficking.

Get involved 24,362 views
Violence Against Women & Child Abuse

Violence against women and children is a serious public health concern, with costs at multiple levels of society. 

Get involved 17,482 views
Water Crisis

All life on Earth needs water to exist, however fresh water consumption is increasing at an unsustainable rate causing irreversible damage. The fresh water shortages occurring can become globally catastrophic. 

Get involved 20,926 views
Education Inequalities

A massive amount of people on this globe do not have resources that allow them access to education, and a majority of them are children in unprivileged societies. 

Get involved 20,295 views
Unemployment

Employment is central in our lives. However the issue of unemployment is a major setback to the majority of the countries.

Get involved 20,997 views