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Breaking cycle of malnutrition in mothers and babies
2006-10-25 08:44:17
By Ebbina Clorah
Working with parents and families to improve nutrition is one of the most important ways in which health workers can promote child health especially in developing countries where resources are very limited.
Understanding the cycle of malnutrition and the need for a life cycle approach is the first step in improving nutrition.
This article looks at practical ways in which the diet and care of girls and women can be improved at all stages of their lives.
A child who is undernourished does not grow well and is more prone to infection. Frequent infections affect nutrient absorption and cause loss of appetite, which in turn means a child eats less.
Once a child eats less, that might result in the beginning of the cycle of malnutrition.
There is need to make nutritional interventions that can help improve immunity and reduce the risk of infection.
Severely malnourished children need special care and attention.
Where referral to hospital is not possible, appropriate treatment at health centre level can help save lives.
There is concern that malnourishment in early life is associated with the growing prevalence of obesity in children and adults alike.
Breastfeeding is one of the most important aspects of childhood nutrition but in many countries exclusive breastfeeding is rare.
Community projects which provide support to mothers to help them exclusively breastfeed also assist in reducing malnutrition.
Iron deficiency, anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world.
In many populations the amounts of iron absorbed from the diet is not enough to meet the requirements especially during infancy and pregnancy.
Health workers often find it difficult to spend time counseling individual parents and families about good nutrition.
For this reason it is important to involve women groups and other community members in activities that improve child nutrition.
Growth monitoring and promotion therefore provides a good starting point for prevention of malnutrition.
Maternal under nutrition is the main reason for poor foetal growth. During antenatal period it is very important to examine and make the necessary investigations to a pregnant woman as well as treat conditions early to prevent delivery of low birth weight babies.
To break the cycle of malnutrition health workers discuss with community groups or individual families (including male relatives) on how to improve the diets) on how to improve the diet and care at each stage of girls’/women’s lives.
Women and girls of reproductive age should be encouraged to eat a good mixed diet that that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, meat and fish. Also foods fortified with micronutrients such as iodised salt.
Iron and folic acid tablets can be give to undernourished women and girls who are likely to get pregnant soon. Vitamin A tablets should also be given during pregnancy.
Iron and folic acid tablets should be given to pregnant mothers at first antenatal visit. Encourage them to eat an additional small meal each day e.g. porridge with milk, bananas and groundnuts.
Health workers should discuss with women and their families how women can reduce workloads in late pregnancy.
When a woman has just delivered she should be encouraged to breastfeed exclusively for about six months.
Later should be advised on complimentary feeding and also how to feeding stops.
in anemic women, iron and folic acids should be continued in order to cure anemia.
Women and their partners should be given information on HIV prevention and child spacing.
School going children need about three meals and two snacks each day containing a variety of foods especially those containing iron.
Adolescents need extra food and nutrients especially iron as they are growing fast.
Slimming should be discouraged as this might cause undernourishment. Adolescent girls who become pregnant risk becoming undernourished since they are still growing up.
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