
Ndohtabi Jerry Eyong
University of Bamenda, CameroonTitle: Undernutrition in Children of Resource-poor Settings: Predictors, Treatment and Prevention
Abstract
Undernutrition
is a condition in which food and nutrient intakes are not adequate to meet
physiological needs and maintain good health. Undernutrition remains a major
public health problem, especially in children. An estimated 149 million
children are stunted, 45 million are wasted and 45% of deaths in children under
5 are linked to undernutrition. The developmental, economic, social, and medical
consequences of undernutrition are serious and lasting, for individuals and
their families, communities, and countries, especially in resource-poor
settings.
The objective of
this review was to describe the predictors and to outline the best treatment
and prevention strategies to combat undernutrition in children of resource-poor
settings.
There is
evidence of an association between birth weight, birth order, breastfeeding
status, frequent illness, immunization, family size, family income, household
food expenditure, sanitation, education level of parents, maternal
decision-making, and undernutrition.
Treatment
options include therapeutic foods and the use of antibiotics depending on the
underlying cause and severity of the undernutrition. Prevention strategies must
never exclude cash transfers and nutrition education. This review has
demonstrated that in resource-poor settings, access to nutritious food to
combat undernutrition can be improved through interventions like cash
transfers, food assistance, improved agricultural techniques, and educational
programs to improve the knowledge, attitude, and practice of carers on
undernutrition.
Biography
Ndohtabi Jerry Eyong holds an MPH degree from the University of Buea and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Bamenda, Cameroon. He is also a Programme staff with the United Nations World Food Programme in Cameroon ensuring that food and nutrition assistance reaches the most vulnerable conflict affected children and pregnant and lactating women and girls to improve their food security and nutrition outcomes