Allen Response: Malnutrition of protein - energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies continues to be a major health burden in developing countries. It is globally the most important risk factor for illness and death, with hundreds of millions of pregnant women and young children particularly affected. Poverty is the main underlying cause of malnutrition. The degree and distribution of protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies in a given population depends on many factors: the political and economic situation, the level of education and sanitation, food production, and breast-feeding habits. Around one in ten children are born with low birth weight, and in South Asia, it is one in four, and aprroximately 45% of deaths among children under five are undernourished. Brain development is most sensitive to a baby's nutrition between mid-gestation and two years of age. Children who are malnourished - deprived of adequate calories and protein in their diet, throughout this period do not adequately grow, either physically or mentally.Their brain are smaller than normal because of reduced dendritic growth. Inadequate brain growth explains why children who were malnourished as fetuses and infants suffer often lasting behavioral and cognitive deficits, including slower language and fine motor development, lower IQ, and poorer school performance. If the child is adopted in the United States, the brain will not be able to develop faster or catch up because the early years of a child's life are very important for later health and development. Proper nutrition starting in pregnancy. Nurturing and responsive care for the child's body and mind is the key to supporting healthy brain development. www.ncbi-gov www.cdc.gov
Purchase answer to see full attachment