Nutrition impacts this generation and the next

How well a woman eats when she’s pregnant not only affects the well-being of the child she’s carrying, but can affect her grandchildren as well. There is a critical window of opportunity from pregnancy through the first 24 months of life for good nutrition to have life-long benefits. Undernutrition during this time can negatively impact a child’s health, development, school performance, productivity later in life – even the health of her own children some day.

Because of this, World Concern, along with other organizations dedicated to improving the lives of the poor, is joining the 1,000 Days movement to raise awareness and help change the future of millions of children worldwide.  

Some startling facts

• More than 1/3 of child deaths are due to maternal and child undernutrition
• An estimated 200 million children suffer from chronic undernutrition
• 190 million children under 5 are vitamin A deficient
• 104 million children are underweight and 171 million are stunted
• More than 2 billion people in the world are iron deficient
• Severe acute malnutrition contributes to 1 million child deaths every year
• Poor nutrition during pregnancy and the first 2 years of life have critical consequences throughout life

Sources: World Health Organization; 1,000Days.org

How we're helping

Through our health and hunger programs, we're ensuring better nutrition for moms and babies living in extreme poverty. Here are some of the ways we're helping:

• Iron supplements for pregnant women
• Vitamin A supplements for children
• Nutrition education for mothers
• Antenatal visits
• Infant growth and weight monitoring
• Emergency feeding programs
• Home gardening
• Agricultural support

We need your help

One mother's story

Rahima is 18 and pregnant, living in the slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Without enough to eat herself, she knew her baby would suffer. Read her story here. Rahima's Story

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