International Journal of Medical and Health Research

Authors
Dr. Rajkumar Dhaked, Dr. Mahesh Chand Gupta

Abstract
The termrnmalnutrition is used to describe a deficiency, excess or imbalance of a widernrange of nutrients, resulting in measurable adverse effects on bodyrncomposition, function and clinical outcome. As such it can refer to individualsrnwho are either over- or under-nourished, although it is usually usedrnsynonymously with under nutrition, as is the case in this article. Although itrnis well known that malnutrition is common problem in the developing country. Arnnew World Bank report warns that malnutrition is costing poor countries up to 3rnpresent of their yearly GDP, while malnourished children are at risk of losingrnmore than 10 present of their lifetime earnings potential. The report also saysrnmalnutrition may increase the risks of HIV infection. Malnutrition has longrnbeen known to undermine economic growth and perpetuate poverty, and yet, overrnprevious decades, the international community and most governments in developingrncountries have failed to tackle malnutrition. These are mind-blowingrnstatistics, yet this economic and human cost can be avoided. To solve thernproblem of malnutrition, the private sector, civil society and government needrnto work together, as the problem is too big to be solved by one group alone.rnThe World Bank says this action plan needs to be agreed to, and then acted uponrnby developing countries together with the development community. As the newrnreport argues, malnutrition perpetuates poverty, and “without coordinated,rnfocused, and increased action, no significant progress in nutrition or inrnpoverty reduction can be expected.”