CHILD NUTRITION

Good nutrition is essential for survival, physical growth, mental development, performance, productivity, health and well-being across the entire life-span: from the earliest stages of foetal development, at birth, and through infancy, childhood, adolescence and on into adulthood.

Child nutrition also has a significant impact on economic outcomes. The World Bank reports that poor maternal and child nutrition impacts a countries economic output by 2 percent to 3 percent. Poor nutrition in early life also puts an increased risk on the healthcare system as children with poor nutrition have an increased risk of obesity and chronic health conditions in adulthood.

Measurement of nutrition in children is usually carried out using the following criteria:

• Stunted Growth
• Wasted
• Underweight