Acute malnutrition has been highlighted as a third-world problem for ages now – with increasing cases, especially due to lack of nutrition in the recent light of the pandemic. As a widespread serious problem affecting children in developing countries, progress towards tackling the different forms of malnutrition remains a pressing issue. A devastating epidemic in itself, malnutrition affects 55 Million children worldwide with 19 Million being extreme forms of malnutrition – Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM).

A UNICEF statement said:

Children who are severely wasted succumb to those diseases because their bodies provide virtually no protection against the bacteria, viruses, or fungi that infect them. They die because their digestive systems can no longer absorb nutrients. A severely wasted child is reduced to the most basic bodily functions. It takes all their energy just to keep breathing.

The human body is designed in a way where it takes in energy and nutrients to perform daily functions. When the body does not get ample food, it starts breaking down the fat and muscle to perform bodily functions. This results in slower metabolism, disruption of thermal regulation, weakened immune system and impaired organ functions.

The main causes of malnutrition are inadequate food consumption, increased energy expenditure, infections and illness. All these lead to the body being undernourished and succumbing to the life threatening condition of malnutrition.

There is international consensus that malnutrition is the greatest single source of poverty, ill health and underdevelopment in the world today. It is also agreed that preventing malnutrition amongst young children is the most cost effective intervention to stimulate economic growth

World Bank

Malnourished children are affected by a compromised immune system, thereby succumbing to infectious diseases. They are also prone to cognitive development delays, damaging long term psychological and intellectual development effects. The issues stretch into mental and physical development as well.

It is estimated that 8.9% of the human population is malnourished, as per a study by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

Symptoms of Acute Malnutrition

• Reduced Appetite.
• Lack Of Interest In Food And Drink.
• Exhaustion
• Feeling Weaker.
• Falling Sick Often
• Longer Recovery Times
• Poor Concentration.

When talking about malnourishment, there are three key physiological measures of undernourishment  in children.

Stunting – being ‘too short for one’s age

Children who are stunted have a height two standard deviations below the median height-for-age as per the World Health Organization’s Child Growth Standards.

Stunting indicates severe malnutrition and unlike wasting and low weight-for-age, stunting directly impacts child development, and is considered irreversible beyond the first 1000 days of a child’s life.

Stunting may cause severe impact on both cognitive and physical development throughout an individual’s life.

Wasting – being ‘dangerously thin for one’s height’

Wasting is when a child is dangerously thin for their height, and is generally a sign of rapid weight loss. A child is considered as wasted if their weight-for-height is two standard deviations below the median at ages 0-59 months.

The factors that contribute to weight loss are associated with diet and nutrition. As a result, wasting is often compounded by conditions of poor nutrition, feeding practices as well as inadequate sanitary conditions

Underweight – low weight-for-age in children.

Undernourishment, or the incidence of being underweight for age, can include children who are stunted, wasted or suffering from insufficient energy intake over a longer period of time.

Malnutrition is no longer just a health issue but it also affects the global burden of malnutrition socially, economically, developmentally and medically, affecting individuals, their families and communities with serious and long lasting consequences.

Appropriate nutrition is the foundation for living the best life possible. It’s especially important to help babies and children grow and reach their full potential. Approximately 60% of adult height is achieved by age 5, making nutrition essential in the early stages of life. Undernutrition in the first five years may challenge a child’s development and limit future potential in terms of academic success, physical development and overall health.

World organizations are taking measures to identify malnutrition in children and are using RUTF products to combat malnutrition at ground level. These sachets of fortified peanut paste can help give children the right tool to fight malnutrition and enable a healthier future.