Public Health Issue

NUTRITION/MALNUTRITION

Berger (2009) claimed that “For most newborns, good nutrition starts with the mother’s milk “(p. 155). The National Center for infants, toddlers, and families (2011), states:

"After birth, brain growth depends critically on the quality of a child's nutrition. Breast milk offers the best mix of nutrients for promoting brain growth, provided that breast-fed infants receive some form of iron supplementation beginning around six months of age. (Most infant cereals are fortified with iron, and breast-fed babies require this supplementation at six months whether or not their mothers are iron-deficient.) Iron deficiency has been clearly linked to cognitive deficits in young children. Iron is critical for maintaining an adequate number of oxygen-carrying red blood cells, which in turn are necessary to fuel brain growth. Bottle-fed babies should receive formula that contains iron."

Very often we hear that iron is important for building youngsters strong bones and teeth. Lack of iron deficiency can lead to anemia, poor mental and behavioral function, which may not be reversible even if the anemia is corrected. Before six months of age, full-term babies are born with iron stores that they use for normal growth and development. There is also iron in breast milk, which is very well absorbed by the infant. Exclusive breastfeeding is encouraged for the first six months and should continue for two years and beyond along with a variety of iron rich foods (Eileen Bennwith, 2011). As a parent, I was encouraged to feed my baby on high iron foods; meat, beans, eggs, and iron fortified cereals, which were needed for proper growth and development of the baby. When infants are not given the proper nutrition they can become malnourished. Berger (2009) claimed that “malnourished children have no body reserves to protect them against common diseases” (Berger, 2009, p. 157).

Serious consequences can occur if children do not get enough nutrition. The National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families (2011), states that malnourished children have smaller brains due to a "reduced dendritic growth, reduced myelination and the production of fewer glia." The smaller size can result in behavioral and cognitive problems, which  can impede a child's performance in school.

In summary, the International Food Policy Research Institute (January, 2002), documented that the health impact of early childhood under nutrition include stunting, wasting, anemia, blindness and infectious disease. Less well known are the high economic costs. Under nutrition can delay brain development, impair academic performance and reduce productivity in later life.

Berger, K. S., (2009). The developing person through childhood.

            New York, NY: Worth Publishers

Eileen Bennewith.  (2010, May 14). Iron is important for youngsters. Harbour City Star, 22.  Retrieved     

            January 12, 2011, from ProQuest Central. (Document ID: 2034536091).

http://ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login?url=http://proquest.umi.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/pqdweb?did=2034536091&sid=2&Fmt=3&clientId=70192&RQT=309&VName=PQD

International food policy institute, (January, 2002). Improving early childhood nutrition. Retrieved

January 12, 2011 from http://www.livestrong.com/article/71855-importance-nutrition- early-brain-growth/#ixzz1AsN6oudl

National center for infants, toddlers, and families. (2011). Zero to Three. Retrieved January 12, 2011,

            from http://main.zerotothree.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ter_key_brainFAQ