Overcoming challenges to accelerating linear growth in Indian children

Indian Pediatrics
H P S Sachdev

Abstract

This policy review highlights the need to focus on stunting as an indicator of under-five undernutrition and explores the major challenges and priority public health options for accelerating linear growth in children. Early childhood stunting predicts poor human capital including shorter adult height, lower attained schooling, reduced adult income, and decreased offspring birth weight. The current prevalence of stunting is disconcerting but there has been a relatively faster decline recently. It is imperative to intervene before birth to address stunting. Pertinent ongoing interventions (delaying early child birth, adequate antenatal care and maternal iron-folate supplementation) are beneficial but have sub-optimal coverage. There is only a narrow window of opportunity in early life--the first two years. Effective coverage of children below two years of age with a package of interventions (breastfeeding; immunization; appropriate complementary feeding; treatment of infections, especially diarrhea; safe water supply; and sanitation) merits urgent investigation for greater impact.

References

Mar 4, 1999·The Journal of Nutrition·C B Stephensen
Feb 24, 2000·Archives of Disease in Childhood·P GarnerS Logan
Jan 22, 2008·Lancet·Cesar G VictoraUNKNOWN Maternal and Child Undernutrition Study Group
Dec 6, 2008·The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition·Usha RamakrishnanReynaldo Martorell
Oct 27, 2009·American Journal of Human Biology : the Official Journal of the Human Biology Council·Aryeh D SteinUNKNOWN Cohorts Group
Jan 29, 2010·The Journal of Nutrition·Sunita TanejaNita Bhandari
Feb 4, 2010·Food and Nutrition Bulletin·Carine RonsmansUNKNOWN Maternal Micronutrient Supplementation Study Group
Apr 27, 2010·Annual Review of Nutrition·Parul Christian

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Citations

Jan 8, 2013·Indian Journal of Community Medicine : Official Publication of Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine·Umesh Kapil, Harsh Pal Singh Sachdev
May 31, 2013·Acta Paediatrica·Nisha Malhotra, Ravi Prakash Upadhyay

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