Five in six children under two not getting enough nutrition for growth and brain development - UNICEF

NEW YORK, Oct. 14, 2016 /CNW/ - Five in six children under two years old are not fed enough nutritious food for their age, depriving them of the energy and nutrients they need at the most critical time in their physical and cognitive development, according to a new UNICEF report.

"Infants and young children have the greatest nutrient needs than at any other time in life. But the bodies and brains of millions of young children do not reach their full potential because they are receiving too little food, too late," said France Begin, Senior Nutrition Adviser at UNICEF. "Poor nutrition at such a young age causes irreversible mental and physical damage."

UNICEF data show that poor nutritional practices – including the delayed introduction of solid foods, infrequent meals and lack of food variety – are widespread, depriving children of essential nutrients when their growing brains, bones and bodies need them the most. The findings reveal that:

• Young children wait too long for their first bites. One in five babies hasn't been fed any solid foods by the age of 11 months.
• Half of children aged six months to two years are not fed the minimum number of meals for their age, increasing their risk of stunting.
• Less than one-third of children in this age group eat a diverse diet – meaning from four or more food groups daily – causing deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.
• Almost half of pre-school aged children suffer from anemia.
• Only half of children aged six to 11 months receive any foods from animal sources – including fish, meat, eggs and dairy – which are essential to supply zinc and iron.
• The high cost of foods from animal sources makes it difficult for the poorest families to improve their children's diet. In Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, only one in six children from the poorest households aged six to 11 months eats a minimally diverse diet, compared to one in three from the richest households.
• Improving nutrition for young children could save 100,000 lives a year.

Making nutritious foods affordable and accessible to the poorest children will require stronger and more targeted investments from governments and the private sector. Cash or in-kind transfers to vulnerable families; crop diversification programs; and fortification of staple foods are key to improving nutrition for young children. Community-based health services that help caregivers learn better feeding practices, and safe water and sanitation – absolutely critical in preventing diarrhea among children – are also vital.

"We cannot afford to fail in our fight to improve nutrition for young children. Their ability to grow, learn and contribute to their country's future depends on it," Begin said.

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Note to editors

UNICEF's report From the First Hour of Life, provides a global mapping of infant and young child feeding practices. Part I, released on 29^th July, focuses on breastfeeding; part II, released on 14^th October, is on complementary feeding for children aged six months to two years.

World Food Day Week is celebrated annually on 16^th October to raise awareness about undernutrition and to secure commitments for ending hunger in all its forms.

About UNICEF
UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization. We work tirelessly to help children and their families, doing whatever it takes to ensure children survive. We provide children with healthcare and immunization, clean water, nutrition and food security, education, emergency relief and more.

UNICEF is supported entirely by voluntary donations and helps children regardless of race, religion or politics. As part of the UN, we are active in over 190 countries - more than any other organization. Our determination and our reach are unparalleled. Because nowhere is too far to go to help a child survive. For more information about UNICEF, please visit www.unicef.ca. For updates, follow us on Twitter and Facebook or visit unicef.ca.

SOURCE UNICEF Canada

Image with caption: "© UNICEF/UNI183083/Nesbitt A woman feeds to her child a nutritious porridge made from locally available products, at the health post in the village of Maderia, in Ethiopia. (CNW Group/UNICEF Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161014_C8502_PHOTO_EN_795709.jpg

To obtain the full report or arrange interviews please contact: Stefanie Carmichael, UNICEF Canada, 416-482-6552 ext. 8866, 647-500-4320 (mobile), [email protected]