When we think about stunted children we always think that it happens in underdeveloped and third world countries. We tend to assume that stunting due to malnutrition is unlikely to happen in developed countries such as Canada. However, recent research revealed the exact opposite.
According to Universite de Montreal a study has found that children in low-income families, who are living under constant poverty and can not afford basic needs, are at higher risk of being stunted. In this research both the family’s economic situation and the height of the children have been reported by mothers. Researchers discovered that there is significant relation between height and poverty regardless of the neonatal condition and mother’s height.
The families of these children mostly reported not having enough money to pay for basic needs such as housing, heating, clothing, medication and transportation. Therefore these children not only suffer from hunger and malnutrition but also they would be shorter than their youngsters. There are many underlying factors associated with poverty which leads to child delayed growth.
According to Prof Maria-Victoria Zunzunegui, who also worked on the study, poverty related illnesses such as asthma is directly related to shorter stature. Also, being exposed to chronic stress also negatively impacts body metabolism which possibly leads to delayed growth. Séguin stated that shorter stature have a potential for psychological consequences such as being discriminated against and having less social mobility
Based on the Campaign 2000, anti poverty coalition, one in nine children is living under poverty. Unfortunately, stat shows that the numbers of children using food banks are rising every year and they are representing a large group of food bank users.
As we can see Government Canada require allocating more budget as well as public policies and action plans to eradicate child poverty.
Protecting the child health is fall under family principles which is one of the main principles of Ontario public health standards.
Reducing poverty is recognized as one of the top priorities in Ontario. One of the major steps taken toward this goal is the introduction of $100 healthy food supplement for all adults on social assistance. Also they’ve allocated the budget for student nutrition program in order to decrease the gap between healthy living and poverty.
Despite all the plans and intervention we are far from the goal which is to eradicate the child poverty in Canada and guaranteed access to nutritious food for all Canadians.
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/01/20/poor-short.html?ref=rss
http://www.thestar.com/article/574471
http://www.campaign2000.ca/
According to Universite de Montreal a study has found that children in low-income families, who are living under constant poverty and can not afford basic needs, are at higher risk of being stunted. In this research both the family’s economic situation and the height of the children have been reported by mothers. Researchers discovered that there is significant relation between height and poverty regardless of the neonatal condition and mother’s height.
The families of these children mostly reported not having enough money to pay for basic needs such as housing, heating, clothing, medication and transportation. Therefore these children not only suffer from hunger and malnutrition but also they would be shorter than their youngsters. There are many underlying factors associated with poverty which leads to child delayed growth.
According to Prof Maria-Victoria Zunzunegui, who also worked on the study, poverty related illnesses such as asthma is directly related to shorter stature. Also, being exposed to chronic stress also negatively impacts body metabolism which possibly leads to delayed growth. Séguin stated that shorter stature have a potential for psychological consequences such as being discriminated against and having less social mobility
Based on the Campaign 2000, anti poverty coalition, one in nine children is living under poverty. Unfortunately, stat shows that the numbers of children using food banks are rising every year and they are representing a large group of food bank users.
As we can see Government Canada require allocating more budget as well as public policies and action plans to eradicate child poverty.
Protecting the child health is fall under family principles which is one of the main principles of Ontario public health standards.
Reducing poverty is recognized as one of the top priorities in Ontario. One of the major steps taken toward this goal is the introduction of $100 healthy food supplement for all adults on social assistance. Also they’ve allocated the budget for student nutrition program in order to decrease the gap between healthy living and poverty.
Despite all the plans and intervention we are far from the goal which is to eradicate the child poverty in Canada and guaranteed access to nutritious food for all Canadians.
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/01/20/poor-short.html?ref=rss
http://www.thestar.com/article/574471
http://www.campaign2000.ca/
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