Asia needs to prioritise child nutrition

AT THE first regional World Health Summit held in Singapore in April,  a group of nutrition organisations called for urgent action to ensure adequate nutrition for children in their first 1,000 days of life. The petition is based on research showing that one-third of children in Asia suffer from chronic malnutrition. World Vision, Save the Children, the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), the Essential Micronutrients Foundation and industry partner Royal DSM, urged Summit delegates to commit to nutrition support as a key input to sustainable health and economic development outcomes. The group has urged governments to promote adequate health and nutrition for women of reproductive age,  particularly  pregnant  and lactating women, to ensure their children have a head-start in good nutritional status.