Malnutrition: A Global Health Concern

Abstract

Malnutrition is a global health concern, as around 250 million of children are malnourished and 45% of fewer than 5 deaths are due to under nutrition according to WHO report (2016). According to United Nations, child mortality report 2018, 6.3 million children 0−14 years died out of which 5.4 million were under 5 and almost 50% (2.5 million) of them died in their neonatal period (0−30) days. All of these deaths were either directly or indirectly related to malnourishment. Health status of mother plays a very important role in the nutrition status of child as the most common cause of infant mortality is the preterm birth which in turn is commonly due to maternal malnutrition. According to the Sustainable Developmental Goal 3 we have to reduce neonatal mortality rate to 12 per 1000 and under-five mortality rate to 25 per 1000 and to achieve these goals, we need to improve the nutritional status of the country.