Jan. 18, 2008 If existing maternal and child nutrition
interventions were implemented in poor countries, cases of
stunting among children under three years of age could be
reduced by a third, and deaths by up to a quarter, according to
new research. 178 million children under five are stunted, and
most of these live in Sub-Saharan Africa and south-central Asia.
160 million stunted children (90%) live in just 36 countries,
and make up 46% of the 348 million children in those countries.
In addition, 19 million children are affected by severe acute
malnutrition. Historical evidence of improvements in nutrition
in developed countries has shown that stature, living standards,
reduced disease exposure and education are linked, and that
almost all stunting is avoidable. Stunting is difficult to
reverse after the age of three, so it is important to focus on
interventions in pregnancy and in young children, especially
those aged under two. In the past most nutrition programme
reports and assessments have focused on we