ABSTRACT
Proper nutrition in infancy and childhood sets the stage for good health in later years. Yet, far fewer children than previously are enjoying nutritious meals in the region. Poverty is forcing families to consume fewer nutrient-rich calories and to purchase lower-quality food. Mothers in many areas receive little support to breastfeed their babies, who are therefore deprived of the most healthful food during the first crucial months of life. Although severe malnutrition is rare, undernutrition is common, and deficiencies of iodine, iron, and several vitamins are widespread in some areas. The link between poor nutrition and impaired immunity is reflected in dramatic increases in several life-threatening diseases among children in parts of the region. These include diphtheria, polio, and tuberculosis. Economic hardship, disease, and food that is deficient in quantity and quality contribute to a vicious cycle of poverty that compromises the well-being of the region's people.
