Nutrition/Malnutrition and Child Development

Nutrition/Malnutrition is a public concern that affects child development in many different ways. Before the baby is even born it requires nutrients from the mother in order for it to grow and develop. Poor nutrition or malnutrition during pregnancy can have lasting effects on the growing fetus. “The long-term effects of poor prenatal nutrition are becoming a matter of increasing concern throughout the world. While the consequences of inadequate caloric and/or vitamin intake during pregnancy have been well characterized, in recent years it has become clear that serious long-term adverse effects may also result from gestational nutrient imbalance, even when total caloric intake is more than sufficient to meet the demands of pregnancy. Excessive fat, carbohydrate or protein intake may permanently alter the homeostatic mechanisms in the fetus, predisposing the offspring of affected pregnancies to serious chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. This review summarizes the growing literature on this subject, with particular emphasis on the lasting health-related effects of macronutrient imbalance on fetal development.” (https://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/surg/article/view/421/666) Children who are predisposed to these health problems will face obstacles in both their health and cognitive development. Children who are deprived of proper nutrition may develop learning disabilities, due to slow brain development as a direct result of improper nutrition. Government programs like WIC (Women, Infants and Children) were put in place to help combat poor nutrition in pregnant women and breast feeding women, infants and young children (under the age of 5). This is a temporary assistance program with income guidelines in order to qualify. This topic is meaningful to me because I have worked in preschools and schools were poverty was an over whelming issue. I believe that good nutrition plays a major part in how a child will develop and learn. Children who go to school hungry are irritable and sometimes lethargic with no energy. Thankfully, schools and local government are becoming more aware of the role that good nutrition plays in child development and learning. Many schools offer healthier menu choices with fresh fruits and vegetables and products made with whole wheat opposed to white flour. There are also free and reduced lunch programs to help families that are considered low-income. I recently worked at a Title One school (a school that has a high poverty level and receives extra funds from the government) where a local church donated money to fund a “Saturday Snackers” program. These types of programs bag up and send food home for children of low income families to eat on the weekend. I personally try to prepare healthy meals for my own family and promote good nutrition by bringing healthy snacks for school functions and birthday parties. Resources WIC Program over View and History, https://www.nwica.org/overview-and-history Long-term health consequences of poor nutrition during pregnancy, https://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/surg/article/view/421/666