Child Development and Public Health

            After watching a show about homeless children in Orland Florida I chose to learn more  about Nutrition and Malnutrition.

Malnutrition occurs when the body does not get the right amount of protein, calories, vitamins and other nutrients.  

According to the U.S. Department of Health all children need a balanced diet and physical activity in order to grow, learn, build strong bones and muscles to name just a few of the benefits.  How do we as parents see to it that our children have these needs met?  Get them immunized, feed them food from the food pyramid, cook with less fat, and limit sugary foods and drinks.  We are all familiar with this list.  What happens to those who don’t have the means to meet the need? 

Statics show between twenty and thirty percent of homeless families surveyed said they had gone without food for part of the previous month (Burt, Aron, and Lee).  Poverty, the number one cause of malnutrition.  

People who don’t get enough food often experience hunger, and hunger can lead to malnutrition over the long term.  However, a child can become malnourished for reasons that have nothing to do with hunger. Even people who have plenty to eat may be malnourished if they don't eat food that provides the right nutrients.    

In developing countries 12 million children under five are dying due to malnutrition.  Lack of food, infection, inadequate care and unsafe water all play a role.

Niger, a West African nation where one in five children under the age of 5 suffering from malnutrition, according to the World Food Programme. 

http://motherchildnutrition.org/malnutrition-management/index.html

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/06/030630110813.htm 

 
http://kidshealth.org/parent/growth/feeding/hunger.html