Major Problems of Malnutrition - Essay Example

The study focused primarily on children under the age of five and their caregivers. The sample population consisted of 1978 caregivers and 2201 children. Through a survey consisting of structured questionnaires, the researchers sought the caregivers’ input regarding their feeding practices, and this information, coupled with anthropometric measurements, helped the researchers to deduce the children’s overall nutrition and health status. The researchers discovered at least five prominent health-related problems that affected the children.

These problems included widespread stunting among the children as a massive proportion of the children were underweight and wasting. Secondly, the researchers discovered that caregivers in the 7 counties breastfed their children for short durations, particularly among children below 36 months. Another critical issue discovered in the counties was the lack of exclusivity in breastfeeding children under 6 months. Breastfeeding, the researchers further discovered a low prevalence of sustained breastfeeding up to the age of one year. Another critical problem was the inadequate delivery of complementary foods to some infants aged between 6 and 8 months. The last major issue discovered through the research was an increased prevalence of stunting among children who had never received breast milk, as well as those who had not been breastfed for at least 1 year. In addition, it was discovered that stunting was quite prevalent among children whose feeding practices comprised primarily of poor quality semi-solid foods (Zhou, Wang, Ye, Zeng & Wang, 2012).

Based on these issues and findings, the researchers determined that poor feeding practices such as lack of exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first 6 months, provision of complementary foods between 6 and 8 months, or provision of poor quality foods, were the primary causes of malnutrition among most children in the 7 counties of China. The primary themes discussed in the article include poverty and ignorance, which detrimentally affect caregivers’ provision of superior quality nutrition to their children, particularly those under the critical age of 5 years. The authors hypothesize that there is a close link between poverty and ignorance of the feeding practices of children, and this subsequently results in malnutrition. As a consequence, Zhou, Wang, Ye, Zeng & Wang (2012) proposed the implementation of additional programs to enhance the level of knowledge on effective feeding practices among caregivers. The researchers further suggested that these programs should be implemented in all remote and impoverished regions of China to improve the overall health of children under the age of 5 years.

The study’s main strength lies in its execution. The study comprises comprehensive sections that examine different aspects that play a part in asserting the study’s hypothesis. The study, therefore, manages to affirm its hypothesis showing that there is a close link between the feeding practices of children below 5 years of age and malnutrition (Zhou, Wang, Ye, Zeng & Wang, 2012). However, the study’s primary weakness involves the ethical requirement of informed consent for all participants. Although the researchers give details of the number of participants and the form of questioning used to collect information (structured questionnaires), they fail to articulate whether or not they sought informed consent from the participants. This is a major breach of the requirements of the conduct of ethical research.

The research is important since it speaks to one of the most hard-hitting issues of the modern day; malnutrition among children. Malnutrition is a major concern, especially in poor regions of the world where children die due to poor-quality diets (Zhou, Wang, Ye, Zeng & Wang, 2012). The research is also important since it provides practical suggestions that can significantly reduce or prevent, altogether, the incidence of malnutrition not only in China but across the globe. The study is highly applicable to my career since it informs future endeavors targeted at alleviating the issue of malnutrition among children under my care. The study will also provide a basis for the examination of ways in which children’s overall health and well-being can be ascertained from birth and beyond. This is because children’s health, especially malnutrition is of critical concern in my line of work.