10 Facts about Children and Hunger
- One in four of the world’s children are stunted, because of malnutrition
- Malnutrition is an underlying cause of the death of 2.6 million children each year – one-third of the global total of children’s deaths
- If a child becomes malnourished in the womb or before the age of two the damage can beirreparable
- As the world is focussed on the financial crisis, a hidden crisis of child malnutrition is threatening children’s lives
- Change is possible. Brazil has made impressive improvements in the nutrition of its population.
- Around 80% of stunted children live in just 20 countries.
- Solutions are simple. There are 13 direct interventions, such as vitamin A, that are proven to have an impact on the nutrition and health of children and mothers.
- Improving nutrition is a good investment. Well-nourished children are less prone to diseases and illness and are more able to concentrate at school.
- Targeting support at pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children under 2, can make a difference.
- Tackling child malnutrition is the right thing to do. Children shouldn’t be going to bed hungry every night.
(via bundles-of-joy)