Know what you are eating!

1. NUTRITION
A vital component of health and development is nutrition. Stronger immune
systems, safer pregnancies and deliveries, a decreased risk of
non-communicable diseases (including diabetes and cardiovascular disease),
and longer life spans are all associated with better nutrition.
Children that are healthy learn better. People who are well nourished are
more productive and can open doors to progressively end the cycles of
hunger and poverty.
Every type of malnutrition poses serious risks to human health.
Undernutrition and overweight are both major causes of malnutrition in
today's globe, particularly in low- and middle-income nations. Malnutrition
can take many different forms, such as undernutrition (wasting or stunting),
a lack of vitamins or minerals, being overweight or obese, and the ensuing
noncommunicable diseases that are brought on by poor eating.
The global burden of malnutrition has substantial and long-lasting effects on
individuals, their families, communities, and nations in terms of
development, economy, social issues, and health.

2. BURDEN
According to the most recent estimates, 45.4 million children worldwide are
wasted and 149.2 million children under the age of five are stunted (too
small for their age) (underweight for their height). Except for Africa, all
areas are seeing a decrease in the number of children with stunting. Asia is
home to more than 75 per cent of all children with severe wasting.
Undernutrition is a contributing factor in about 45% of fatalities in children
under the age of five. Most of these take place in low- and middle-income
nations.
The important public health issue of anaemia disproportionately affects
young children and women who are pregnant. According to WHO statistics,
anaemia affects 37% of pregnant women and 40% of children under the age
of 5. Anaemia affects 30% of reproductive-age women.
38.9 million children under the age of 5 are overweight, and 1.9 billion
adults worldwide are overweight or obese. Children are becoming more
overweight and obese, especially in high-income and upper-middle-income
nations.
Only 44% of infants under 6 months of age are exclusively breastfed,
despite the fact that breastfeeding helps prevent undernutrition and obesity.
High blood pressure is a result of high sodium intake (>5 g salt per day),
which also raises the risk of heart disease and stroke. The average person
consumes 9 to 12 grams of salt per day, which is about twice the maximum
amount advised.
WHO RESPONSE
In line with the 2016–2025 nutrition strategy, WHO develops
evidence-informed guidance based on strong scientific and ethical
frameworks, supports the adoption of guidance and implementation of
effective nutrition actions, and monitors and evaluates policy and program
implementation as well as nutrition outcomes.

3. The Comprehensive implementation plan on maternity, baby, and young
child nutrition, which was approved by the Member States through a World
Health Assembly resolution in 2012, serves as the framework for this
activity. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Global Action
Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases
2013-2020, the Global Strategy for Women's, Children's, and Adolescent's
Health 2016–2030, and the Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity Report
(2016) all include diet-related goals that must be met in order to achieve
them.
The Health Assembly approved the 13th General Programme of Work
(GPW13) in May 2018, and it directs WHO work from 2019 through 2023.
The eradication of industrially manufactured trans-fats from the food supply
and a reduction in salt/sodium intake are two of the WHO's priority
initiatives to ensure healthy lifestyles and promote well-being for all people
of all ages, according to GPW13.