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CHILD AND
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MATERNAL
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NUTRITION
In the past two decades, child and maternal malnutrition has declined almost by half

Child undernutrition still imposes the greatest nutrition-related health burden at global level

161 million 99 million 45% of child deaths

children are stunted children are are caused by child and
due to chronic underweight maternal malnutrition
malnutrition

Anaemia,
Iron deficiency resulting from iron
ANAEMIA deficiency, affects
increases the risk of
pregnancy complications,
impaired cognitive
development and death
50%
of pregnant women
in developing
in children and mothers
countries

Developing regions have the highest prevalence of stunting in children under the age of five

WESTERN SOUTHERN
CENTRAL AFRICA ASIA
AMERICA 34% SOUTH
CENTRAL EASTERN 36% EASTERN ASIA
17%
AFRICA AFRICA 28%
32% 41%
OCEANIA*
SOUTHERN
38%
AFRICA
30%

*excluding Australia and New Zealand

The prevalence of stunting in children has declined globally from 40% to 25%

257
MILLION 161
MILLION
1990 2013

Improved diet and health care for women before and during
pregnancy and lactation would significantly reduce child undernutrition

For children, the first 1 000 days is the most critical period
for adequate growth and development

conception 12 months 24 months

Exclusive breastfeeding for infants during the first six months of life followed by the
introduction of nutrient-dense complementary foods are essential components of good nutrition

Cereals, roots Pulses Fruits and Meat, fish

and tubers Vegetables and dairy

Food fortified with essential vitamins and minerals should also

be incorporated into diets where food diversity is poor

IRON FOLATE
VITAMIN A
ZINC IODINE

Nutrition education for the whole family is key

to ensuring good nutrition

Educate mothers, fathers, adolescent Integrate nutrition education

girls, and senior women on child feeding into smallholder farming

Teach how to select, prepare Increase womens control

and consume nutritious food over resources and income

www.fao.org/icn2

FAO - October 2014