Maternal and Child Undernutrition: Translating Evidence and Rhetoric into Action
Tom Arnold and David Beckmann
Will 2011 be remembered as a turning point in the global effort to combat maternal and child undernutrition? Although it’s an effort that has been the subject of much research and rhetoric in recent years, concrete action has lagged behind the indisputable data and the strong words. But in the last several months, we are starting to see real evidence of forward momentum; and in the coming months there will be new opportunities to increase this momentum. National governments, the United Nations, civil society organizations, development agencies, academia, foundations and the private sector are committing themselves with growing urgency and focus.
Adequate nutrition is critically important during the first 1,000 days (from pregnancy to 2 years of age) of a child’s life. There is conclusive evidence of the impact of undernutrition on infant and child mortality and its largely irreversible long term effects on health and on cognitive and physical development.
Globally, malnutrition is an underlying cause of one-third of all maternal and childhood deaths, in large part because young children who are malnourished are more susceptible to illness and life-threatening health conditions. Child malnutrition is further responsible for 11 percent of the global disease burden, thereby hindering progress toward the Millennium Development Goals. This evidence has underpinned a number of recent political and policy initiatives aimed at improving early childhood nutrition.
