Protein Energy Malnutrition Essay Example for Free

Protein Energy Malnutrition EssayThe articles subject concerns the protein deficiency among infants in the Osun state of Nigeria. Nursing frequence and duration experienced a reduction during completing food were introduced to infants in Osun. Mothers tend to be complacent in feeding their babies with complementary food, which result to the minimize breast-feeding of mothers that hinders the natural nutrition that these infants need. In a study conducted among Osun infants, they discovered that it was not a advisable for children at this age to be fed by much(prenominal) synthetic food. Consumption of such tends to halt the natural nourishment the babies need from their mothers. As early as two years old, babies were exposed already to complementary food, which is against the requirement of the World Health Organization (Ogunba, 2004).According to WHO, the amount of protein and calories (energy) that were consumed by infants were not above standard levels because these foods contain excess amount of carbohydrates alone (Ogunba, 2004). Obviously, the nutritionary requirement of an infant is not met due to the outcome of early supplementation of these synthetic food. Infants natural diet should require constant breast-feeding in which they are enable to consume protein from milk. Unfortunately, this apt nutritional nourishment is ignored by the mothers in Osun (Ogunba, 2004). In a study conducted among Osun infants, protein energy malnutrition was discovered that it was in constant depletion. The want of protein among the infants resulted to stunting. Stunting has a significant presence in the rural areas, which is an indication of chronic under-nutrition in these areas (Ogunba, 2004). It was discovered that stunting was among the culprits of infant growth faltering, as a result from the consumption of complementary food, children from one to six months of age were experiencing a decrease in growth and health progress (Ogunba, 2004).Stunting is the to the highest degree prevalent of the different manifestations of PEM (33.9 per cent), followed by under weight down (21.0 per cent) and wasting (9.2 per cent) (Ogunba, 2004). Children need protein more than adults do because they are constantly growing and developing. The protein requirement of infants is per unit of body weight higher than those of adults.ReferenceOgunba,B. (2004). Protein energy malnutrition in complemented breast-fed babies implications of the timing of complementary feeding. Nutrition Food Science. Retrieved February 10, 2008, from http//swtuopproxy.museglobal.com/MuseSessionID=af57a678251afeca8c38cca61826cae/ MuseHost=www.emeraldinsight.com/MusePath/Insight/ViewContentServlet? Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/0170340504.html