Why Invest on Nutrition: Effects on Health and Economy

Table of Contents

Why to invest on Nutrition?

Malnutrition decreases GDP by 3-7 % (up to 11%) – [World Bank 2005]
Investment of Rs 1= return of Rs 16 which is a lifetime satisfying results [Global Nutrition Report, 2016]
NO UPGRADE from Least Developed Countries without improvement in nutrition
Undernutrition/stunting under 2 years is an indicator of a comprehensive Human Capital.
At a micro-economic level, it is calculated that 1 percent loss in adult height as a result of childhood stunting equals to a 1.4 percent loss in productivity of the individual
The loss from stunting is calculated as 1.38% reduced for every 1% drop in iron status (source Haddad and Bouis, 1990).
All forms of malnutrition cost the global economy an estimated $3.5 trillion per year, or $500 per individual (Global Panel 2016)

Therefore, to reduce under nutrition and improve results of investment in nutrition, awareness on nutrition is necessary and it should be prioritized.

Malnutrition refers to the imbalance in the intake of energy and nutrition.
It is the imbalance between what our body needs and what we eat.
It refers to both deficiency and excess of the nutrition
Malnutrition is the result of the less intake or mal-absorption of nutrient by the body
Under nutrition puts children at the greater risk of dying.

Nutrition is key to healthy life, economy and survival.
A child’s height-for-age predicts adult cognitive achievement and productivity
Malnutrition slows down the economic growth and leads to poverty.
Morbidity and mortality linked with the malnutrition denotes the loss of human capital.
Under nutrition in young age also makes people prone to the non-communicable disease in later stages of life thereby increasing the expenditure on the health and increasing the burden.
Moreover, intrauterine growth retardation, low birth weight, and premature birth have a causal relationship to the origins of hypertension, coronary heart disease, and non-insulin-dependent diabetes, in middle age of life (Barker Hypothesis).
They have poor intellectual ability and memory power which makes them difficult in performing better in school and college studies. It ultimately creates gaps between educated and non-educated; and skilled and non-skilled human resource.

Malnutrition prevents one from reaching the full potential in all forms; physically, mentally, psychologically and socially.
Poorly nourished citizens are also loss for the country as the country cannot expect a lot from them and moreover have to invest heavily for their health and well-being.

Undernutrition leads to physical as well as cognitive stunting
It makes one more susceptible to disease
Micronutrient deficiencies causes severe illness and even leads to physical impairments
Overweight and obesity increases the risk of NCDs such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc.
Maternal malnutrition increases the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes like premature delivery, low birth weight, postpartum hemorrhage, and even maternal mortality
Malnutrition is also the cause for the disability

Productivity is defined as the ratio of output to input
It refers to how efficiently inputs such as capital, labor or other resources are used for achieving the given output.

Connected with each other.
One leads to the other and is never ending loop.
Malnutrition at young age makes one susceptible to various kind of disease.
Malnourished children = malnourished adult.
Young malnourished adult cannot develop their full potential.
Lack of proper education, skills reduces their economic productivity.
Further pushes towards the poverty.
Basic needs along with health services becomes challenge further declining the state of health.
Malnourishment in the young female leads to maternal complication and the low birthweight babies.
Such babies are more susceptible to stunting and other forms of malnutrition.
This again continues in loop.
Furthermore, poverty or say financial constraints is considered as the one of the factors for the malnutrition.
Poor nutrition in childhood is associated to the reduced earning in adulthood.