Introduction:
Human developments are governed by two main factors: genetics and environment. Nutrition is one of the most crucial aspects of the environment. Malnutrition during the fetal development and the childhood can have potentially devastating consequences in the long run. Preventive measures need taken, both in local and national levels, to address this crucial issue.
Summary of the provided article:
Nutrition is one of the most influential non genetic factors in prenatal development. If the mother is exposed to famine during prenatal development, there is a high chance of the child having an increased risk of several types of diseases and disorders. Such association is found to be specific for periconceptional exposure, considering
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India is considered as one of such countries where malnutrition is common in one form or the other. First of all, poverty causes parents to not be able to provide kids and themselves with enough food when they are hungry. Secondly, the quality of food they can afford, leaves another perceptual problem that we can refer to as: hidden hunger, or the deficiency of essential nutrients in adequate proportions in the food being consumed. Young children tend to be in a higher risk of chronic diseases, delayed growth and sexual maturation, to name a few, as consequences of chronic malnutrition in childhood and infancy. Similar consequences are faced by the children who are exposed to malnutrition prenatally. The iron deficiency disorder leaving a huge population of all ages suffering from goiter, neurological deficit and cretins, zinc deficiency resulting in impaired immunity leading to infections are two of the most prevalent types of malnutrition observed there in people. This shows that, lack of nutrition has consequences not only through the malnourished mom, but also in children, and adults including non pregnant moms, exposed to malnutrition. (Mishra et al., 2017, p. …show more content…
Proper nutrition is crucial to the growth of brain’s structure, it’s effective functioning, and maturation. Children brains grow much faster than adults, in fact, most of the brain development occurs in early childhood. Proper nutrient supply in the body fuels the effective growth of the brain, including the brain. If an element is missing from the diet, then it is more than likely that there will be an effect on the behavior due to such malnutrition, even though there might possibly be other factors acting on the side too. (Coursin et al., 1972, p.
"Hunger and Malnutrition." KidsHealth - the Web's Most Visited Site about Children's Health. Ed. Mary L. Gavin. The Nemours Foundation, 01 May 2012. Web. 12 May 2014.
25. LETAMO G, MAJELANTLE R. FACTORS INFLUENCING LOW BIRTH WEIGHT AND PREMATURITY IN BOTSWANA. J Biosoc Sci 2001;33(03):391-403.
...lem in the world. LBW is arisen because of preterm births and, intrauterine growth retardation, or both. Many risk factors including low pre pregnancy BMI, poor dietary patterns, poverty, low antenatal weight gain, and infections causes the infants to be Low Birth Weight. There are many health consequences can be seen due to LBW and some of them are neonatal morbidity and mortality, effects related to cognitive and neurological development. Some suggestions to decrease the incidence of LBW are improving food intake, getting medications for chronic diseases, preventing teenage gestations, educating teenagers and mothers about LBW and preventing from infections and malaria. South Asia is the highest low birth weight reporting region in the world. UNICEF and World Health Organization have been conducting many projects to lower the low birth weight rate in the world.
There are many different kinds of effects that come from not consuming the right amount of the nutrients everyday. Receiving the right amount is key especially for children ages zero to three years old. Some physical effects in early-aged children is the inability to fully develop in growth and their ability to fight infections is very weak. Other physical conditions found in children are chronic health issues such as, asthma and Cystic Fibrosis, also many children find themselves needing to be hospitalized. Mental effects are taken into account as well, because many children experience behavioral consequences and challenges: Children also suffer from anxiety and aggression issues. Young children are not only people affected from lack of nutrients, but adults experience both physical and mental problems too. Adults are not as affected by not getting the accurate amount of nutrients, these ages unfortunately do not get to live a...
...ht of an infant it can be seen that the birth weight is a most important factor for their life. As nutrition students we have to provide correct information to pregnant mothers to overcome this huge problem. Women who are expecting for pregnancy must take folate supplement before 2 months when they get pregnant. Also pregnant mother need high content of iron as well as calcium as micro nutrients. Therefore they will have to consume some more green leafy vegetables, fruits as well as milk which is a rich source of calcium.
Research indicates that “the specification of fetal brain areas affected by prenatal exposure to nonoptimal maternal distress and nutrition, will, in part, identify developmental processes, such as synaptic plasticity, neurogenesis, and dendritic arborization, as vulnerable to the influences of these two maternal factors” (Monk, Georgieff, & Osterholm, 2013). Interestingly, the vitamins and nutrients a mother eats herself provides her child with vitamins and nutrients. Psychologist Martha May Reynolds wrote, “The science of nutrition has made careful studies of food requirements during pregnancy, and the results are now available to practically all mothers-to-be. Calcium is especially important in the formation of the child 's bones and teeth, and other minerals, vitamins and proteins play their parts in nourishing the developing embryo. The present and future health of both child and mother depend on a well-balanced diet for the mother” (Reynolds, 1939). Seemingly insignificant and something people take for granted, eating healthy foods is essential to the present and future health of the
In a child's first years of life, it is important for optimal growth that they receive improved nutrition and improved learning opportunities. Not only are those two factors independently crucial to early development, but it has been said that they have a direct correlation. Among a plethora of results gathered from a study done in 2011 by Kate Northstone et al are “novel associations between dietary patterns in early childhood, and current diet, with ...
When it comes to eating right, it is important that the diet of a pregnant woman has food energy, protein, with many vitamins and minerals, as this is essential for the pregnancy to support the metabolic demands of pregnancy and the baby's growth. It is then, that knowing the fact that the diet of a pregnant woman should be well controlled it is ide...
Beginning in the womb, nutrients obtained through the diet, in this case of the mother, begin playing a key role in the development of the brain and nervous system. A woman’s poor nutritional status before the time of conception can have detrimental effects on physical and cognitive development (Whitney & Rolfes, 2013, p. 486). It is clear that from the beginning of the lifespan nutrition plays a vital role and cognitive health and development. While nutrition is known to play a role in cognitive health, the question of just which nutrients and in what quantities will require many more years of research as new information is being discovered. There is a growing concern over the quality of ‘natural’ sources, such as breast milk and whole foods, as opposed to synthetic sources, such as infant formula and vitamin supplements. There has been much debate as to whether or ...
A child’s proper growth depends greatly on their nutrition and health. A healthy diet is essential to the developing child. Food should never be used to reward, punish, or bribe a child. Instead children should have three healthy meals with snacks in between. It is also important for children to have good self care behaviors (including bathing, washing hands, brushing teeth), and adequate sleep.
In 2011, anthropologist Ellen Messer acknowledged that in spite of having enough food to feed the entire population on the Globe, more than 100 million people experienced shortages of food and nutritional deficiencies (as cited in Wiley & Allen, 2013, p.92). Thus, it is very important to consider analyzing various factors that influence nutritional status and its relationship with health.
Child development can be negatively influenced by risk factors, including hereditary and environmental factors. Some pre-natal environment factors related to mothers during pregnancy include: nutritional deficiencies, diabetic mother, drug and alcohol use, and more. Some post-natal environment factors include: socio-economic status of the family, child’s nutrition, family structure, child’s emotions, and more. Malnutrition, maternal depression, and maternal substance abuse are three of these factors which have received particular attention by researchers, however, many more factors have been
The word hunger can mean the painful sensation caused by the want of food, the want or scarcity of food in a country or a strong desire or craving. In relation to the term World Hunger, the word refers to the want or scarcity of food in a country (World Hunger, 2011). In areas of the world, including the United States, where hunger is an issue, malnourishment becomes a very serious concern. Malnutrition is a very basic term referring to the general lack of some or all nutrients needed to support human health. There are two main types of malnutrition, Protein- energy malnutrition (PEM) and micronutrient deficiency (World Hunger, 2011). While both types of malnutrition are dangerous, PEM is the most important and most notable form of the disease and is eminently fatal. In the early developmental years of a child’s life, specifically from zero to five years of age, malnutrition is of the greatest concern. Failing to properly feed a child’s body can cause irreversible damage to the mind leading to developmental delays, stunted physical cognitive and emotional growth, mental retardation, livelong illness and even death. In many countries across the globe, lack of funds and resources contribute greatly the malnourished child issues. However, in established countries such as the United States, where extensive programs such as Women Infants and Children are established to eradicate these issues, they still exist. This is due in large part to a lack of education. Many young mothers are unaware of the nutritional needs of their young children. Unfortunately, many cases are also a result of abuse and neglect. Regardless of the motive or situation leading up to the circumstances which provided for a malnourished child, education is the answe...
During prenatal development, the mother's general health and age is very important. Nutrition, anxiety, and stress are a big part of the physical development during the prenatal stages. Referenced by Eysenck & Schoenthaler (1997) in our text, “A rapidly growing body of evidence reveals that when food sources are short on protein or essential vitamins and minerals during prenatal and early postnatal development, an infant’s physical, socio-emotional, and intellectual development can be compromised” (as cited by Broderick & Blewitt, 2010, p. 56).Genetic and chromosomal problems can begin at conception. Many disorders can be transmitted through the operation of dominant and recessive genes. Most recessive disorders are diagnosed in early childhood. Some genetic disorders include the following: sickle cell disease, hemophilia, night blindness, cystic fibrosis, extra fingers, high blood pressure, and huntington's disease. Chromosomal errors also effect the prenatal development stage. The most common is Down syndrome, in which a child has 3 copies of chromosome 21. The risk of bearing a child with this condition depends on the age of the mother.
The second type of hunger is considered to be named as chronic or endemic hunger, because it is not felt by the majority of people. However, it can hold some subtle but significant changes in human body developing. For example, children may be underweight on the background of their coevals. The lack of the daily consumption of the vitamin A may cause problems with visio...