Addressing emerging issues in complementary feeding
Overview
WHO SEARO supports countries to address the traditional issues of inadequacy and lack of diversity of foods for infants and young children through policy and programme support, and also focuses on emerging problem of unhealthy diets consumed by older infants and young children in obesogenic food environments.
The Regional workshop on reducing young child malnutrition through optimizing diets and the food environment was held in November 2023. (link to report for upload).
The Regional Office has developed a new tool to support countries in ensuring that commercial food products for older infants and young children marketed specifically for the 6 - 36-month age group align to global public health recommendations for young children.
Link to Nutrient and Promotion Profile Model.Key facts
Sub optimum young child diets affect growth and metabolism, have long‐term programming effects on health, and delays achievement of the global targets on child stunting, wasting and overweight.
In WHO South-East Asia Region, countless children do not have access to nutritious and safe foods during the critical early growth period. Poverty and poor feeding practices influenced by inadequate knowledge and cultural habits and the changing food environment all play a role.
Children are often fed monotonous starch based diets lacking diversity, adequacy and consistency.
Globalization, changing lifestyles and urbanization have altered dietary patterns and food habits. The proliferation, availability and aggressive marketing of low- cost unhealthy snacks, foods and beverages in emerging markets has contributed to an increased consumption of unhealthy foods by young children.
