Child and maternal nutrition

better nutrition, better lives CHILD AND MATERNAL NUTRITION In the past two decades, child and maternal malnutrition has declined almost by half Child undernutrition still imposes the greatest nutrition-related health burden at global level 99 million children are 161 million 45% of child deaths children are stunted due to chronic malnutrition are caused by child and maternal malnutrition underweight Anaemia, resulting from iron deficiency, affects Iron deficiency ANAEMIA 50% increases the risk of pregnancy complications, impaired cognitive development and death in children and mothers of pregnant women in developing countries Developing regions have the highest prevalence of stunting in children under the age of five WESTERN SOUTHERN CENTRAL AFRICA ASIA SOUTH EASTERN ASIA AMERICA 34% 36% CENTRAL EASTERN 17% AFRICA AFRICA 28% 32% 41% OCEANIA* SOUTHERN 38% AFRICA 30% *excluding Australia and New Zealand The prevalence of stunting in children has declined globally from 40% to 25% 257 161 MILLION MILLION 2013 1990 Improved diet and health care for women before and during pregnancy and lactation would significantly reduce child undernutrition For children, the first 1 000 days is the most critical period for adequate growth and development conception 12 months 24 months Exclusive breastfeeding for infants during the first six months of life followed by the introduction of nutrient-dense complementary foods are essential components of good nutrition Cereals, roots and tubers Meat, fish and dairy Pulses Fruits and Vegetables Food fortified with essential vitamins and minerals should also be incorporated into diets where food diversity is poor IRON FOLATE VITAMIN A ZINC IODINE Nutrition education for the whole family is key to ensuring good nutrition Educate mothers, fathers, adolescent girls, and senior women on child feeding Integrate nutrition education into smallholder farming Teach how to select, prepare and consume nutritious food Increase women's control over resources and income www.fao.org/icn2 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations PAN FIAT ©FAO - October 2014