Nutrition an "economic imperative": World Bank |
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A new series of reports in The Lancet makes it clear that "over-nutrition" has not replaced the need to ensure adquate intakes of key nutrients in the diets of those in the developing world. The Voice of America reports that iodizing salt returns $28 in health benefits for every dollar spent: "It is clear that nutrition as a whole is an economic imperative," said Joy Phumaphi, Vice President for Human Development at the World Bank. She took part in the Washington launch of The Lancet series. "Bigger and healthier bodies lead to higher physical productivity. Well-nourished children are more intelligent; they are better learners in school. They are more productive as adults. And a well-nourished population spends less on health care. The economic benefits of improving nutrition are substantial," she said. According to one study, some 80 percent of the world's malnourished people are found in just a few dozen countries, primarily in Africa and South Asia. Researchers say when it comes to combating the worst effects of poor nutrition, the most critical period for intervention stretches from conception through early childhood. Youngsters lacking adequate nutrition typically suffer low body weight and often have stunted growth, bringing a host of negative consequences. "The evidence links stunting [stunted growth] to cognitive development, intellectual capacity, school performance and educational achievement. Poor fetal growth or stunting in the first two years of life leads to reduced economic productivity in adulthood," said the lead author of The Lancet series, Dr. Robert Black of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Taken on a macro-level, there is a direct link between the health and nutrition of a country's population and its prosperity, according to USAID's Assistant Administrator for Global Health, Kent Hill. "Improved health for the world's poorest people is not only a moral imperative but also a pragmatic investment for peace, security, and worldwide economic growth. Health status, in fact, is the single greatest indicator of poverty. Good health lies at the base of stable workforces and productive economies," Hill said. "Food fortification [adding nutrients to basic foods] is extremely important and very cost-efficient. Every dollar spent on vitamin fortification returns about seven dollars in increased wages and decreased disability. A dollar spent on iodized salt returns 28 dollars. Iron fortification returns 84 dollars. It is hard to believe [but true]," he said.
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