Malnutrition News and Research

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Malnutrition is a condition which occurs when there is a deficiency of certain vital nutrients in a person’s diet. The deficiency fails to meet the demands of the body leading to effects on the growth, physical health, mood, behaviour and other functions of the body. Malnutrition commonly affects children and the elderly.

Better co-ordination crucial to help reduce maternal and child illness and death

The first of a series of articles looking at public health in complex emergencies (such as famine, population movement arising from civil conflicts and associated health problems) is published in this week’s issue of THE LANCET.

14 Nov 2004

Researchers have identified a protein that transports the essential nutrient boron into cells

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas have identified a protein that transports the essential nutrient boron into cells, where it is important for cell growth and bone development. The findings are in the Nov. 5 edition of the journal Molecular Cell and are online.

5 Nov 2004

Chronic diseases linked to obesity could put the brakes on economic progress in many developing countries

Chronic diseases linked to obesity could put the brakes on economic progress in many developing countries unless urgent action is taken, experts warned at the opening of the first major international conference on obesity in Africa yesterday (Oct 28).

29 Oct 2004

PAHO and the World Food Program have agreed to collaborate on logistics during humanitarian crises

The Pan American Health Organization and the World Food Program today agreed to collaborate on logistics during humanitarian crises, an area in which PAHO has accumulated vast experience over the past 20 years.

21 Oct 2004

Some patients who undergo treatment considered to be the last resort for severe obesity can develop peripheral neuropathy

Researchers from Mayo Clinic have found some patients who undergo a treatment considered to be the last resort for those who suffer from severe obesity - stomach stapling or gastric bypass surgery, can develop peripheral neuropathy, damage to the peripheral nerves, the vast communications network that transmits information from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body.

16 Oct 2004

A food supplement developed to supplement diets of Kenyan children may end up as a nutritious American snack

A food supplement developed by researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences to get meat products into the diets of Kenyan children may end up as the basis for a nutritious American snack.

12 Oct 2004

Africa is fighting back against vitamin and mineral deficiencies

A report released yesterday says that Africa is fighting back against vitamin and mineral deficiencies, saving millions of women and children from death and debilitation through simple, cost effective strategies such as fortifying staple foods. But millions of children can still be helped if current strategies and partnerships are extended to reach every country and every child.

8 Oct 2004

Global under-five death rate far below targets agreed to by world leaders

New country-by-country data reveals alarmingly slow progress on reducing child deaths despite the availability of proven, low-cost interventions, a UNICEF survey revealed today.

8 Oct 2004

First epidemiological study to assess the impact of the civil war in Darfur

The study quantifies the high death rates both before and after civilians became internally displaced and sought refuge in other communities and displacement camps.

30 Sep 2004

New insights into the international burden of malaria

Malaria research scientists from around the globe have published new insights into the international burden of malaria and what can be done about it.

14 Sep 2004

Protein-rich teething rusk to help stop children suffering Kwashiorkor

Two food technology students from RMIT University, Australia, who developed a teething rusk for malnourished children in developing countries have won a national award.

4 Sep 2004

Are Latin America and the Caribbean ready to meet the health challenges of the coming senior boom?

Advances in medicine and public health have dramatically increased life expectancy in Latin America and the Caribbean.But is the region ready to meet the challenges of the coming "senior boom"?

31 Aug 2004

Multicultural approach to health needed for well-being of indigenous people

Respect for cultural diversity and a deep understanding of the needs of different communities are key to achieving health equity among indigenous peoples, says the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

9 Aug 2004

In Africa only a quarter of infants under six months of age are fed exclusively on breast milk

Children in developing countries are being put at unnecessary risk of disease and death as they are fed on alternatives to breast milk.

1 Jul 2004

Expert to help WHO in Dili, East Timor with tropical diseases

A JCU public health expert is off to Dili, Timor Leste (formerly East Timor) to help the World Health Organisation address three serious tropical diseases: lymphatic filariasis, intestinal worms and yaws.

10 Jun 2004

Sport to tackle child obesity

Manchester Metropolitan University is tackling the problem of child obesity and malnutrition with a unique series of fitness classes.

3 Jun 2004

Dire health consequences for millions of people in Darfur, Sudan

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of dire health consequences for millions of people in Darfur, Sudan. A significant increase in disease and death is inevitable without a rapid increase in external help.

3 Jun 2004

Incentive-based program in Mexico is appears to have improved child health

An incentive-based program that now reaches 4.5 million families in Mexico is associated with lowering the rate of anemia and improving growth in low-income, rural infants and children, according to a study in the June 2 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), a theme issue on Global Health.

1 Jun 2004

Global warming will increase malnutrition and outbreaks of infectious diseases

Global warming is a real concern to health experts, according to a senior scientist in this week's BMJ. His comments come as global warming gets the Hollywood treatment in the disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow.

27 May 2004

World health officials adopt global health strategy

The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health was today endorsed by Member States at their annual Health Assembly in Geneva. The strategy addresses two of the major risk factors responsible for the heavy and growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), which now account for some 60% of global deaths and almost half (47%) of the global burden of disease. NCDs include cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancers and obesity-related conditions.

22 May 2004