Malnutrition is a challenge everywhere, but it is more common in developing countries. It can show up as being underweight or overweight, and is a leading cause of death in children under five years of age. Some causes are easy to find and take care of, while others are not so clear or easily fixed.
I volunteer at the Children's Welfare Clinic, where kids up to the age of five come for growth monitoring, which includes monthly weighing and twice a year height measurements. Malnutrition is identified as a significant health problem in our community. It can lead to stunted growth, reduced height for age, and developmental delays as their bodies and brains are growing. Malnutrition is a global issue which can affect kids anywhere. It can be caused by many different things, from health issues, such as food allergies or problems absorbing nutrients, to environmental challenges, such as unclean water or exposure to parasites, or to simply not having enough food at home. Every child grows differently, so we must also understand that some are picky eaters or grow up in a single parent home, where there is not enough time to cook or spend time with the children.
