Healthier Women and Children, Research Paper Example

Rapid growth and physical development takes place during infancy, childhood, and adolescence. A child’s health and development is greatly depended upon nutrition. Lack of proper nutrition can have lasting effects on a child’s potential growth and development. Physical activity and proper nutrition can prevent many problems that may onset in the long run. As a result, it is imperative that healthcare professions promote good nutrition to ensure healthier mothers and children. In order to be successful at this task, children and pregnant women must have access to essential nutrients, including vitamin A, iron, and iodine to prevent maternal anemia, infant deaths, and long term health problems. According to Horton, “Iron deficiency affects about 25 per cent of the world’s population, most of them children of preschool-age and women. It causes anemia, and the highest proportions of preschool-age children suffering from anemia are in Africa.” (Horton 2008). Throughout the world, the level of under nutrition among children and women remains outstandingly high. Nearly 90 percent of the world is undernourished. Under nutrition often goes undetected until it has become severe. Under nutrition greatly reduces a country’s socio-economic development. Several factors play a part in whether or not women and children will receive to proper nutrition guidelines.

Culture is a large factor that affects nutrition. Culture has a great influence on the way a person prepares food, they way in which they season it, and how often and how much of certain foods they may eat. Some cultures rely on staple foods for a great deal of their meals. For example, rice or beans are eaten for nearly every meal in some cultures. Acculturation is also a part of culture. During this process, a person may move to another region or area and take on the beliefs, attitudes, and values of a dominant culture. Many people who fall victim to acculturation may add new foods to their diets or just cut out other foods completely. (Lancet, 2008) This substitution may occur because other foods are more convenient to obtain and prepare, more affordable, or they just like the new taste better. Health care providers must be aware of these possibilities and provide nutritional guides that are sensitive to cultural beliefs.

Attitudes about body weight can affect proper nutrition as well. People may view body weight differently. Some people view being very slender as healthy, while others view it as being malnutrition. Pregnant women who are under nutrition can cause fetal growth stunts. Stunting is a primary indicator in child development. These children have reduced success in school outcome. They often enroll in school later and do not perform as well academically. Each person’s body responds to hunger with their own personal sensation. Some people bodies have a flawed system that produces that hunger sensation even when the person has eaten. As a result, a person may consume more food than they are able to burn off. Others may have food insecurity. People who suffer from this disorder are in constant fear that they will not have enough to eat. These people often grow up in homes where food was scarce. As a result, when they became adults and were able to afford adequate food, they tend to over eat. According to research, “Under nutrition in is caused by inadequate maternal and child care practices, high levels of food insecurity and poor public health environments. In particular, vulnerable groups – such as women and young children – face ongoing food access and utilization challenges due to the unequal distribution of food at the household level, the poor nutrient quality and diversity of diets, and limited household purchasing power. Other factors include inadequate knowledge of appropriate nutrition practices, particularly for infant and young child feeding; unsafe hygiene practices; inappropriate behavioral patterns; and limited access to health and nutrition services.” (The Lancet 2007)

Geographical targeting is important. Targeting households and communities that are vulnerable to food insecurity and those that have a high prevalence of under nutrition is main priority. Areas that are prone to disaster and crime, urban areas, and rural areas are more vulnerable to poverty. For example, in poverty stricken homes “children under five, only one in two receive the minimum number of meals per day; one in three have the minimum diet diversity; and only one in five consume a minimum acceptable diet.” (Keller & Lang 2008) Program partnerships with government are crucial to ensure that priorities and strategies are implemented. There must be links between individuals and programs that promote access to food and incomes.

Breastfeeding can improve infant survival rates dramatically. Only 37 percent of children under 6 months of age are breastfed. However, over the past 15 years, breastfeeding rates have increased in many countries. Studies indicate that early initiation of breastfeeding within an hour of birth reduces neonatal mortality rates (Horton, 2008) Breastfeeding ensures body contact between mother and child which establishes a bond between the two. Colostrum, which is produced during the first days of post-partum, provides the newborn with essential antibodies. These antibodies strengthen the babies’ immune system.

The effects of under nutrition can be felt for generations to come. These children suffer from stunting and severe wasting which can cause irreparable physical deformities. Undernourished children are usually associated with lower economic statuses when they reach adulthood. Low birth rate children are at increased risk for chronic diseases. Consequently, the maternal and child nutrition should be seen as long term global investment. Under nutrition leaves a lasting mark on one growth, health, education, and development, which may impede a person from becoming a productive member of society.

References

Horton R. 2008. Maternal and child under nutrition: An Urgent Opportunity, The Lancet.

Keller I, Lang T. 2008. Food-based dietary guidelines and implementation: lessons from four countries -Chile, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa. Public Health Nutrition; 11(8):867-874.

The Lancet Series on Maternal and child under nutrition. 2007 .The Lancet, Volume 371.