Childhood nutrition is a issue across the globe. South Africa has a huge issue of malnutrition. If children do not have proper food and vitamins they will fail to develop and thrive as healthy human beings. Unicef is an orginazation that is commited to helping children in the area of malnutrition. "Malnutrition is a major underlying cause of death in 64 percent of children in South Africa"(Unicef). It amazes me that in todays world with the wealth of so many, that children are still dying of malnutrition. Not only are children dying in S. Africa "One in five children is stunted and many are deficent in the vitamins and minrals vital to good health and optimal development" (Unicef). S. Africa has begun to add vitamins and minerals to its flour and sugar to help with the lack of vitamins and minerals. Another issue that they are trying to help with is breastfeeding babies. Unicef is trying to get women to breastfed exclusivley for at least 6 months. With the help of Unicef, S. Africa will start to solve its problem of malnutrion with children. "Unicef also participated activley in developing a national policy and guidlines on infant and young child feeding which will set standards for communtiy based child nutrition programs" (Unicef). S. Africa is workin on improving their nutrition issues with children. Children need proper nutrition to thrive and develop. This needs to be a world issue not just an issue in S. Africa. All children across the world will one day be our leaders, it we do not provide there essentials, what will happen to us all globally?
Nutrition can affect children in the field of Early Childhood Education in many ways. If children do not get the neccassary vitamins and minerals needed their brains will not develop properly and this will have a lasting effect on them. In the United States the The National School lunch Program serves breakfast and lunch help give the essentials for chidlren to thrive.
"The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946" (National School Lunch Program).
This proplem has been around for centurys and needs to be a world issue, not just in the country we live in.
Unicef- Childhhttp://www.unicef.org/southafrica/survival_devlop_755.html
National School Lunch Act-
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/
Hi Lisa, your post was quite informative. Across the world, nutrition continues to be a problem. Unfortunately many live in poverty and just cannot afford proper nutrition. I recently had the opportunity to serve with Community Impact. This organization seeks to cjallenge the issue of world hunger. We packaged dried foods that just need what added to create a nutritious meal. What was even more amazing is that for for ever dollar donated, six meals were provided. In week one wde learned that child development is multidisciplinary. Here is yet another example where scientist, nutritionists, economists, and medical doctors collaborate in helping to successfully provide low cost, nutrional meals that will provide all vitamins and nutrients that are crucial for proper growth and development.
ReplyDelete