ABSTRACT
The most recent estimates of the global burden of malnutrition in under 5 children are that 178 million (one-third of all children) are stunted, 112 million are underweight, 55 million are wasted (19 million having severe acute malnutrition) and 13 million children are born each year with intrauterine growth retardation [1]. Together they account for 21% of all under-5 deaths. Besides increased risk of mortality and morbidity, recent reviews have also provided compelling evidence for links between stunting and reduced cognition and economic productivity, and for transgenerational effects resulting in small babies and increased risk of childhood under-nutrition, when accompanied by rapid weight gain with chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. There is therefore sufficient reason to both prevent and appropriately manage malnutrition in early childhood if both the shortand long-term consequences are to be avoided.
