Tag: nutrition

From Cradle to Career: The Lifelong Impact of Early Nutrition on Minds and Futures

In the intricate dance of human development, the first 1,000 days emerge as a period of unparalleled significance, shaping the destinies of individuals and the key to unlocking potentials that extend far beyond childhood. During this crucial period, nutrition takes center stage, weaving a narrative that profoundly shapes not only the health and well-being of individuals but also the trajectory of entire generations. 

Cognitive Development and IQ

Scientific evidence consistently underscores the foundational role nutrition plays in cognitive development and education, making the profound impact on future generations ever clearer. A child’s brain begins to grow very early on in pregnancy and develops at an astonishing speed. At the 4th week of pregnancy, the brain has an estimated 10,000 cells—by the 24th week, it contains 10 billion. The nutrition that a baby gets from its mother through her diet is the fuel that drives much of this incredible transformation.

The occurrence of malnutrition in the first 1,000 days can hinder brain development, leading to long-term cognitive impairment. Studies show that malnutrition-related delays in cognitive development are associated with up to an 18-point reduction in expected IQ. Additionally, peers. This isn’t a just statistical figure; it translates into tangible consequences for individuals, societies, and economies.

Importantly, these differences persist from adolescence through mid-life, even for those who physically recover from malnutrition. An 18-point reduction in IQ is more than an entire standard deviation (IQ SD = 15 points), equating to a significant impact on an individual’s ability to contribute to society long-term.

Investing in nutrition during the first 1,000 days becomes a strategic move to unlock the full cognitive potential of the next generation. It’s an investment in future creators, inventors, workers, and problem solvers who can drive societal progress and innovation. The implications of this investment ripple across sectors and economies, transcending individual outcomes to shape the very fabric of a nation’s intellectual capital. 

“When you’re well nourished in your first 1,000 days, you grow taller, your brain development is better, you therefore complete more schooling and you add to your country’s economy. Across a population, this means huge shifts in better health and productivity, lifting families out of poverty, and boosting the prosperity of entire communities and nations.”

Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Education: The Bridge to a Brighter Tomorrow

Nutrition isn’t just about physical health; it’s a cornerstone of educational success. Well-nourished children not only exhibit better concentration and cognitive abilities but also demonstrate increased attendance and participation in educational activities. The nexus between malnutrition and educational outcomes is a critical aspect that demands our attention. Children who undergo severe malnutrition, especially during the first 1,000 days, complete an average of 4.64 fewer years of schooling than their well-nourished peers. Those who experience severe malnutrition and remain in school often face challenges, performing more poorly and taking longer to complete each grade.

Children who experience stunting, a consequence of malnutrition, score significantly lower on math and English tests, even when controlling for cognitive ability. The impact on learning processes, likely due to reduced focus and micronutrient deficiency, underscores the holistic nature of the challenge. Even mild episodes of malnutrition in utero, even in developed countries, can lead to significantly lower educational performance.

Amidst the intricate tapestry of this narrative lies a pivotal thread on gender equality. Education becomes the key for girls aspiring towards a brighter future, representing one of the most critical investments in building a world where gender equality flourishes. Each additional year of schooling not only enhances a woman’s earnings by 10-20%, but it also acts as a catalyst for achieving financial independence, gradually closing the gender-based earning gap. A stark reality persists today, with over one billion women and girls lacking access to the adequate nutrition essential for their survival and flourishing. Bridging this “gender nutrition gap” becomes not only a matter of nourishing bodies, but also of empowering minds towards a more equitable future.

The Economic Toll of Malnutrition

Malnutrition is not just a health concern; it is an economic imperative. Research from the World Bank reveals a staggering reality – individuals facing malnutrition can lose up to 10 percent of their annual earnings due to reduced education and productivity. More alarmingly, they are 33 percent less likely to escape poverty as adults. This revelation underscores the urgent need for a paradigm shift in our approach to nutrition, viewing it not only as a health intervention but as an economic driver, the key to unlocking the cycle of poverty and the lifelong consequences rooted in malnutrition.

The linkage between nutrition and future development outcomes is profound. Nutrition programming, particularly during the first 1,000 days, becomes the cornerstone for lifelong health, educational attainment, wages, and livelihoods. It is a holistic investment that not only improves individual well-being but also fortifies economies, fosters resilience to global shocks, and builds grey matter infrastructure – that is the infrastructure our children’s bodies and minds need to grow, learn, and thrive.

Investing in nutrition in the first 1,000 days is not just a moral imperative; it is a strategic move to ensure that children reach their educational potential. By addressing the root causes of malnutrition and fostering an environment conducive to learning, we pave the way for a brighter and more educated future generation that can positively impact our society and economies. As we invest in the nutrition of the youngest members of society, we are, in essence, investing in the intellectual capital of our future workforce and leaders.

In conclusion, the first 1,000 days represent a unique and invaluable opportunity to shape the trajectory of individuals, societies, and economies. Nutrition, as the linchpin connecting health, cognitive development, and education, becomes the catalyst for a brighter tomorrow. As we navigate the complexities of global development, let us recognize the transformative power of nourishment in building minds, nurturing futures, and fostering resilience in the face of global challenges. We call on everyone to join us and invest in nutrition.

Understanding Nutrition in the First 1,000 Days: Black Moms and Birthing People

To improve our advocacy and nutrition education efforts, 1,000 Days strove to understand sources of nutrition information during the first 1,000-day window and gaps in culturally relevant communications about healthy diets. Through a combination of qualitative research methods, including surveys and an environmental scan, we listened to over 225 Black pregnant and birthing people about their perceptions of their health, when and how they received nutrition information related to their pregnancy, and their preferred sources of information.

Coming Soon: First-Ever Dietary Guidelines for Pregnant Women & Young Children

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently invited 1,000 Days and several other stakeholders to share comments related to the development of the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) which will – for the first time ever – include recommendations for pregnant women and children under age two. The public comments, which will be made public on USDA’s website within a month, were an important step forward as USDA stated its intent to make the 2020 DGAs process transparent, data driven and science-based.

Why do the new DGAs matter and what is at stake?

1,000 Days’ analysis of the state of early nutrition in the U.S. shows that far too many young children and their families are not getting the nutrition they need to thrive. One in 5 babies in the U.S. is never breastfed and 1 in 4 children ages 1 to 2 do not receive the recommended dietary allowance for iron—one of the most important brain-building nutrients. Further, over half of toddlers and preschoolers have one or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day, contributing to our nation’s high rates of childhood obesity.

It is within this context that the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are more critical now than ever, as they will, for the first time, include recommendations for pregnant women and very young children. The 2020 DGAs and the recommendations for pregnant women and young children will inform federal nutrition programs that reach young children and their families, as well as serve as an important reference point for physicians, nutrition counselors, and early childcare providers among others. Moreover, the new guidance will also provide parents and caregivers with the evidence-based information they need to give their children the best chance to lead healthy, prosperous lives that are free of preventable chronic disease.

How can groups get involved?

At 1,000 Days we are closely following the development of the 2020 DGAs, and will continue to communicate opportunities to become engaged in the process as they emerge.

In the meantime, here are some ways to get involved:

  • Read the recent reports by the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Science, Medicine and Engineering (HMD) here and here and familiarize yourself with recommendations for the 2010 DGAs process.
  • When the call for nominations for the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee opens, nominate qualified experts with backgrounds related to maternal and young child health and nutrition, epigenetics, child development and breastfeeding.
  • Be on the look-out for open comment periods and submit comments in support of strong, timely, and science-based recommendations for pregnant women and young children.
  • Reach out to Cara Brumfield at Cara@thousanddays.org to connect on more opportunities to be engaged.

Report From UNGA: Progress On Nutrition Is Possible

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by what can seem like insurmountable global challenges. Here at 1,000 Days, we are constantly inspired by stories of success around the world. We know that despite the obstacles that remain, millions of lives have already been transformed by improving nutrition.

Take for instance a recent success story from Peru– where they successfully reduced stunting by 10% over the past five years thanks to tireless advocacy and a comprehensive nutrition strategy. Peru’s success is just one of many global success stories that are featured in a new report released last week by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Stories like this remind us that the work we do can save and improve lives.

The World’s Attention Must Be On Nutrition
Dr. Tedros Speaking At Goalkeepers For Nutrition Side Event

Dr. Tedros Adhanom, Director General, World Health Organization

The truth is when it comes to nutrition, we know what works. What’s needed now is an urgent prioritization of proven interventions so that we have the money, the policies, and the partnerships to do what works.

We carried this message to New York last week, as world leaders gathered for the United Nations General Assembly. There, we called on attendees to take urgent and decisive action to increase investments in nutrition to save and improve lives around the world.

In partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Power of Nutrition, the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement and the World Health Organization, 1,000 Days hosted an event at UN Headquarters where we were honored to have the new Director General of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom. In his remarks, Dr. Tedros reiterated this call to action: “If we want to end stunting, the world’s attention must be on nutrition.”

1,000 Days’ Mwandwe Chileshe also lent her voice as a global nutrition advocate from Zambia to an event on Good Food and nutrition, hosted by Global Citizen and the SDG2 Advocacy Hub.

As part of her work with Global Citizen, Mwandwe also attended the Global Citizen Festival red carpet where she highlighted that investing in nutrition is critical to ending extreme poverty.

Carrying the Message Forward

The opportunity to be around so many people working to see a world free from poverty and malnutrition was inspiring. And yet, there is much more work that needs to be done.

A recent report highlights a devastating trend: in 2016, the number of chronically undernourished people is estimated to have increased by nearly 40 million people compared to 2015. This news signals the urgent need for greater action and political will in the fight against malnutrition.

We can change this trajectory with concerted action. When good nutrition is prioritized – especially during the critical 1,000-day window between pregnancy and age two – children are given the chance to reach their full potential. And that potential, when nurtured and nourished throughout life, knows no bounds.

At 1,000 Days, we will continue to carry this message forward. A high-level Global Nutrition Summit to be hosted in Italy in November is an important upcoming platform to reinforce that now is not the time to retreat.

Progress is possible, but it is not inevitable. We must act now to invest in nutrition and create a healthier and more prosperous future.

Nutrition & WASH: A Recipe for Success

In the lead-up to World Water Week, WaterAid, SHARE (Sanitation and Hygiene Applied Research for Equity) and Action Against Hunger launched a new report, “The recipe for success,” in which they discuss a key ingredient for fighting global malnutrition – WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene). The report highlights that 50% of undernutrition in children under five is associated with repeated diarrhea and infections resulting from poor WASH conditions. Additionally, poor sanitation is listed as the second leading cause of stunting worldwide.

Given the report’s findings, it is clear that poor WASH conditions can undermine access to good nutrition. A better understanding of how WASH and nutrition are linked prove critical in the fight against malnutrition.

The findings of this report are playing out around the world, but one acute example is taking place in Yemen right now. More than 60 percent of the Yemeni population faces hunger and starvation, and UNICEF estimates that the country is currently home to the worst outbreak of cholera in the world. The outbreak affects nearly all of Yemen and there have been nearly 500,000 cases of suspected cholera and about 2,000 associated deaths reported to date. Unsurprisingly, the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that, “Malnourished children and pregnant women are at greatest risk of death as they face the “triple threat” of conflict, famine and cholera.”

Poor WASH systems and a lack of access to good nutrition, mixed with conflict, is undermining the resilience of the already vulnerable Yemeni population. This makes it harder for women and children to recover from extreme bouts of diarrhea caused by cholera. The situation is so dire that at this moment, urgent humanitarian assistance and an end to conflict in the region is needed to save lives.

The children that survive these circumstances are still at risk of suffering the long-term consequences of chronic malnutrition and stunted growth. The potential for children to attain optimal growth in life lies within the first 1,000 days between when a woman becomes pregnant and her child’s second birthday. We must ensure that even in the face of crises this period in life is protected.

This World Water Week (Aug 27 – Sept 1) is a time to refocus on the needs around water and sanitation but hopefully also a time to make policymakers aware that WASH and nutrition are connected and in-turn, so are the solutions. Just as malnutrition and poor WASH mutually reinforce bad health outcomes, promotion of good nutrition and WASH policies that work together result in healthier and more nourished communities. This means ensuring that WASH and nutrition are included in each other’s policies and plans, implementation is consistent and institutional structures are strengthened. WASH and nutrition programming that work together to mitigate the malnutrition crisis worldwide must be a priority.

Mwandwe Chileshe is a Global Program Associate at 1,000 Days and a Global Health Corps fellow. In her role at 1,000 Days, Mwandwe supports the organization’s efforts to mobilize greater resources for global nutrition by supporting the management of ICAN and participating in international coalitions. She previously led the Zambia Civil Society Scaling up Nutrition Alliance, a network that works to improve the status of nutrition in Zambia.