Undernutrition among children in South and South-East Asia.

Abstract

Undernutrition remains a major public health problem among children living in Asia. Although the burden is maximal among poorer, rural and Indigenous communities, the problem affects the majority in many Asian countries, especially in South Asia. In order to prevent the pervasive consequences of undernutrition, strategies that address this burden are required. Successful implementation of strategies may be limited by the complex aetiology of undernutrition, including the political setting. Rising food insecurity because of climate change, land use for biofuel production and the recent global financial crisis threaten to exacerbate childhood malnutrition. In this review, we describe the burden of undernutrition among Asian children and discuss contributing factors and potential solutions.

• Authors: Sant-Rayn Pasricha, Beverley-Ann Biggs
• Journal: Journal of paediatrics and child health (J Paediatr Child Health) Vol. 46 Issue 9 Pg. 497-503 (Sep 2010) ISSN: 1440-1754 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 20854320 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2010 The Authors. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health © 2010 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians).

Topics

• Asia (epidemiology)
• Asia, Southeastern (epidemiology)
• Child
• Child Nutrition Disorders (complications, epidemiology, etiology)
• Child, Preschool
• Cost of Illness
• Humans
• Infant
• Population Groups
• Public Health