ABSTRACT
Malnutrition among children and pregnant women is a significant problem affecting millions in developing countries, but treatment through hospital or clinic activities is expensive and difficult due to scarcity of trained clinical staff, resources, and logistic support. The most prevalent types of malnutrition in developing countries, or those that have severe consequences and yet are amenable to prevention and treatment are: protein-calorie malnutrition, vitamin A deficiency, anemia, and goiter. Protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) among young children is the most serious and prevalent form of malnutrition; it is also the most difficult to resolve. Preschool-aged children in developing countries are most affected by PCM because of the high nutrient requirements of their age group, inappropriateness of foods commonly eaten, low frequency of feeding, and effects of infectious diseases. Supplementary feeding programs, including on-site and take-home feeding, have been used, but are also extremely expensive to operate because of administrative as well as food costs.
