‘50pc of children under five die of malnutrition every year’

Almost 50 percent of children under the age of five directly or indirectly die of malnutrition every year in Pakistan whereas infant mortality rate (IMR) is over 65 per 1000 live births and under-five mortality rate is 78 deaths per 1,000 births, which is harrowingly high. These concerns were voiced by experts at a seminar held by the Shifa International Hospital (SIH) to mark the World Food Day here on Monday. The speakers stressed that the unbalanced food intake and inappropriate dietary habits could lead to serious health complications that can prove fatal.
SIH Nutritionist Consultant Dr Rezzan Khan, while quoting a survey conducted in 2004, said that around 10.5 million children died before their fifth birthday and many of those deaths were from preventable causes such as malnutrition. Dr Rezzan said the economic and social development coupled with increased urbanisation and shifts in food supply and production were directly responsible for the phenomenon. She warned that the food insecurity could lead to malnutrition. “Well-managed diet can help prevent and even reverse health related problems,” she added.
She was of the view that dieticians and community nutritionists could play a key role to create an enhanced awareness towards nutrition problems and healthy dietary practices. SIH Medical Specialist Consultant Dr Aamer Nazir Ahmad enlightened the audience about the unbalanced food intake that could be the root-cause of deadly diseases including certain cancers such as colon, ovary, and breast. He stressed the need to follow a balanced diet plan to avoid a host of health hazards. While talking about a health daily water intake, Ahmad said that 1500ml for first 20kg body weight and then 20ml for every kilogram over 20 kg was a must.
He warned that an excessive water intake or inability of body to get rid of extra fluids may cause problems in the functioning of the brain, heart and lungs. “Less intake of water or more than normal loss of water from body may lead to a low blood pressure, which affects vital organs of the body including the brain and kidney,” he maintained. Dr Ahmad advised the audience that 30-35 kilocalories per kilogram of the bodyweight must be taken to address bodily needs. “The daily energy or protein requirement is 0.8 -1.2 grams of protein per kilogram every day. In moderate to severe stress, the requirement is 1.5g per kg every day,” he added.
He said an unbalanced diet could increase the risk of a major depression and above all obesity could become a source of social discrimination. He however warned that 35 to 40 percent of total body weight loss is usually fatal. “Vitamins are important for body functions and their deficiency may cause anorexia, muscle cramps, paresthesias, irritability, anemia, mouth soreness, skin problems, bone weakness and night blindness,” Dr Ahmad added.
Dr Faizul Bari of UN’s National Emergency Coordinator Food and Agriculture Organisation, leading consultants, nutritionists and people from different segments of society attended the seminar. Free dietary consultation and dietary assessment tests were also conducted for the participants. Moreover, a health food model was also displayed for the audience on the occasion.