UNICEF Views Poor Nutrition as Main Killer of Young Children

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund has published a new report indicating that approximately 200 million children from all over the world have experienced stunted growth as a result of poor nutrition. UNICEF is reporting that a staggering 90 percent of the children whose insufficient nutrition results in stunted growth reside in Asia or Africa. Statistics indicate that approximately one-third of the children who have passed away under the age of five have died as a result of under-nutrition.

The 200 million children that UNICEF is referring to are under the age of five, according to CNN.com. The organization's report, which is entitled "Tracking Progress on Child and Maternal Nutrition", shows that the first 100 days after the baby is born are the most critical for a child's development. UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman emphasized the importance of maternal nutrition by clarifying that it is strongly encouraged for mothers to breast-feed their babies for a minimum of six months after they have been born.

Werner Schultink, the Associate Director of Nutrition for the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, described specific disadvantages that children who experience chronic under-nutrition are exposed to, saying "[They] will perform less well in school, they will be able to do less well as an adult and, even worse, their health situation in adult life may be negatively affected. They are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases, such as heart disease or diabetes."