Malnutrition Kills 3.1 Million Children Per Year

A global report published just this week shows that malnutrition, stunting and vitamin deficiencies contribute to 3.1 million deaths of children worldwide.

The report shows that many children just shy of five years old will die from low growth rate, exclusive breastfeeding or possibly low levels of vitamin A and zinc deficiencies. Malnutrition seen during pregnancy can also significantly affect a fetus' growth, which may leave the child more susceptible to diseases if he or she makes it out alive.

"This new evidence strengthens the case for a continued focus on the crucial 1000 day window during pregnancy and the first 2 years of life," the study's authors wrote. "It also shows the importance of intervening early in pregnancy and even before conception. Because many women do not access nutrition-promoting services until month 5 or 6 of pregnancy, it is important that women enter pregnancy in a state of optimum nutrition."

According to the Maternal and Child Nutrition Study Group, which proposed 10 interventions, they estimate as many as 900,000 lives could be saved in 34 countries that regularly see problems regarding malnutrition. If implemented, these efforts could cost close to $9.6 billion per year, according to the study.

Though some worry that this funding goal may be unrealistic, the researchers say that nutrition is a major mark on the global agenda that deserves immediate attention. "Nutrition is now more prominent on the agendas of the UN, the G8 and G20, and supporting civil society," the authors wrote. "Nowadays, the impetus for improving nutrition is even stronger than it was 5 years ago."

"[R]esources must be directed not only to interventions, but also to the creation of environments to enable advancement of nutrition, including capacity and leadership at all levels of government. A political economy approach to prioritization of such investments is crucial if sustainable, supportive environments for long-term nutrition agendas [need] to be created."