Question

Meternal and child undernutrition contribute to deficits in children's development and health and productivity in adulthood. Discuss this statement.

Back up the argument with evidence and health and economic data.

Address all part of the statement with referances.

Answer 1

Maternal and child nutrition are one of the most significant determinants of children's development and overall health during adulthood. It is a very well known fact that the foetal development inside the womb totally relies upon the nutrional status of the mother during the whole gestation period. Under this condition, the foetus captures nourishment from the circulation of the mother. Thus, if the mother is not nutritionally fulfilled, the foetus too shall suffer from nutritional deficiency. A number of global studies have shown that this undernutrition of the mother is a causative agent of many congenital disorders in the newborn, including some rare genetic impairments and irreversible physical ailments. Hence, a child suffering from such congenital defect would never be able to survive a normal life and hence will definitely suffer from difficulties during his childhood as well as adulthood, including the mental and reproductive health.

These conditions are regularly noticed in many parts across the globe where either socio-economic or personal reasons prevent the pregnant lady to achieve proper nutrition and hence the foetus remains under-nutritioned. These countries in the world are, thus, a site of scientific research to understand the direct relationship between nutritional status of the mother and the child.