Child Development & Public Health: A The Focus on Nutrition

This week in class we began discussing the next stage in early childhood development - birth (0 years) to 2 years old. This week's blog assignment calls for us to choose a public health measure that affects child development. Of the options, I felt the most interesting topic that I can relate to and want to learn more about is nutrition and malnutrition.

Various types of research concludes that breast milk is best for healthy nutrition from birth through infancy. Berger (2012) explains, "Babies who are exclusively breast-fed are less often sick. This is true in infancy because breast milk provides antibodies against any disease to which the mother is immune and decreases the risk of allergies and asthma," (p. 151). Usually, feeding a newborn or infant formula is not preferred unless there is a special circumstance, such as when the mother has a drug or alcohol addiction. Beginning with breast feeding is said to promote healthy nutrition from the get-go and set a strong foundation for future development of the child. It is recommended to breast feed for at least a year or more. "Breast-feeding dramatically reduces infant disease and death," (Berger, 2012, p. 154).

Malnutrition, on the other hand, is extremely detrimental to a child's health and development. It can have a variety of negative impacts and affects on the child. Through the reading this week, I discovered there are a variety of forms and severities of malnutrition. Berger (2012) lists five different types or results of malnutrition, including protein-calorie malnutrition, stunting, wasting, marasmus, and kwashiorkor (p. 155-156). She explains that "stunting is most common in the poorest nations," (Berger, 2012, p. 156). Effects of the various types of malnutrition could be very short, thin, or weak; extremely underweight; halting growth leading to death; and more. In terms of correcting the problem of malnutrition, prevention is key. Berger (2012) states, "Prevention, more than treatment, stops childhood malnutrition. Prenatal nutrition defends against marasmus after birth; breast-feeding protects against marasmus in infancy; ongoing breast-feeding and ample food with iron and vitamin A prevent kwashiorkor in childhood," (p. 157).

This topic drew my attention the most due to my profession and location. In 2009-2011 I worked in a low income district where a majority of the population received free and reduced lunch, as well as being provided breakfast. This was created in hopes of providing nutrition for students who face challenges at home. Upon being hired full time in my current district, I was surprised to learn that the district I had grown up in has risen to roughly 50% free and reduced lunch in a similar situation as the prior district I had worked in. Witnessing and working with children who encounter challenges at home, such as hunger, has motivated me to learn more about the development of a child and the cruciality of things such as attachment and nutrition. By doing so, I feel I can become an advocate for my community, families, children, and district to promote nutrition and a positive environment for all. With this prior connection, the topic of nutrition and malnutrition caught my eye and inspired me to pursue to learn more information.

During my research of this topic, I discovered a resource that was both inspiring and motivating. The Save the Children (2013) foundation is "the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world," (http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.7980641/). This organization seems like they have so much to offer with good intentions to change the lives of children around the world. After the disaster left behind from Super Storm Sandy in 2012, I felt compelled to use this organization as a resource this week. The Save the Children organization claims, "When disaster strikes around the world, Save the Children is there to save lives with food, medical care and education and remains to help communities rebuild through long-term recovery programs. As quickly and as effectively as Save the Children responds to tsunamis and civil conflict, it works to resolve the ongoing struggles children face every day - poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and disease - and replaces them with hope for the future," (Save the Children, 2013). Save the Children is an active organization around the world in various countries, including the United States, Middle East, Latin America, Caribbean, Asia, and Africa.

After a vacation to Jamaica last summer, I was curious as to how they are active in the Caribbean based on the sights I witnessed en route to our resort. Seeing children and stray dogs wander the sides of the road, shoeless and ragged, and discussing lifestyles and opportunities with a native who worked at the resort, I became extremely interested in learning more and was relieved and grateful to hear of this organization participating in Caribbean locations. Save the Children works with countries from Latin America and the Caribbean, including Bolivia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, and Nicaragua. They shared that "inequality and poverty continue to be the region's main challenges: nearly 25 percent of the population lives on less than $2 a day," (Save the Children, 2013). The organization also shares the fact that "undernourishment affects 47 percent of Haitians, 27 percent of Nicaraguans, 23 percent of Bolivians, and 22 percent of Hondurans," (Save the Children, 2013). Due to such drastic conditions, the Save the Children organization went to these countries to provide assistance. For example, in the Dominican Republic the Save the Children organization shares, "Through the effective implementation of development programs in health and nutrition, preventive health care, water and sanitation, education, community development, and children's rights, Save the Children now helps more than 70,000 men, women, and children throughout the Dominican Republic attain their rights and improve their quality of life," (2013). Specifically focused on nutrition, the organization worked in the Dominican Republic "in the implementation of school, home and community gardens for the production of fruits and vegetables; sheep and goat modules for the production of milk, cheese and meat; and poultry models for eggs and chicken production," (Save the Children, 2013).

All in all, I believe that malnutrition is still a large concern world wide, especially in various third world countries who have large percentages of poverty levels. It is an area in which educators should be well versed in information, resources, and strategies to help counteract, prevent, and/or treat such an issue. Discovering the Save the Children foundation was an exciting experience for me this week. I spent quite some time perusing the website to become familiar with their organization and noticed that are ways you can help the organization and help children around the world. I think this is an important issue we should not overlook and am proud to be part of a school and district that has begun promoting healthy nutrition and lifestyles to provide for the children who are facing challenges at home.





References

Berger, K. (2012). The Developing Person Through Childhood. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.

Save the Children. (2013). Who we are; What we do; Where we work. Retrieved from  

    http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6115947/k.8D6E/Official_Site.htm.