About this Research Topic
In 2012, the World Health Organization recognized that child stunting was one of the most significant impediments to human development and resolved to decrease the number of children under five stunted by 40% by 2025. South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia and the Mekong region countries, share the issue of stunting prevalence in children under five. Decades of extensive research have identified a range of unique and discreet drivers of stunting, such as poor diet and nutrition, sanitation, exposure to enteric pathogens, and inadequate levels of psychosocial stimulation. Many countries and researchers have conducted studies to explore and examine the most effective ways to successfully overcome this issue.
Additionally, the problem of nutritional deficiency, particularly iron deficiency dominates in children, adolescent girls, and pregnant women. The prevalence of anemia in some Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Timor-Leste ranges from 22.7% to >50%. Meanwhile, other nutritional deficiencies such as folic acid and zinc also add to the magnitude of the calorie and protein deficiency problem in this population. In addition to the problem of nutritional deficiency, Southeast Asian countries also face obesity and the risk of non-communicable diseases (e.g., hypertension and cardiovascular disease) related to diets. For instance, the recent South East Asian Nutrition Survey (SEANUTS) study showed that in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children aged 7 to 12 years old ranged from 30 to 32%.
Considering these points, this Research Topic aims to update the progress of stunting alleviation and control of other nutrition problems, including any advances in methods and programs, in South and Southeast Asia. Submissions to this Research Topic will not only fill an important gap in nutrition knowledge across South and Southeast Asia, but also improve the nutrition intervention policy in preventing and controlling nutrition problems nationally, regionally, and globally. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Stunting prevention and control;
- Nutrition problems associated with pregnancy;
- Early childhood nutrition, education, and parenting;
- Obesity and non-communicable diseases (e.g., hypertension and cardiovascular disease);
- Environment and food safety;
- Cultural factors in eating behavior.
Brief Research Report, Case Report, Clinical Study Protocol, Clinical Trial, Community Case Study, Conceptual Analysis, Data Report, Editorial, Policy Brief, Policy and Practice Reviews, Study Protocol, and Systematic Review are welcome into this collection.
Additionally, the problem of nutritional deficiency, particularly iron deficiency dominates in children, adolescent girls, and pregnant women. The prevalence of anemia in some Asian countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, and Timor-Leste ranges from 22.7% to >50%. Meanwhile, other nutritional deficiencies such as folic acid and zinc also add to the magnitude of the calorie and protein deficiency problem in this population. In addition to the problem of nutritional deficiency, Southeast Asian countries also face obesity and the risk of non-communicable diseases (e.g., hypertension and cardiovascular disease) related to diets. For instance, the recent South East Asian Nutrition Survey (SEANUTS) study showed that in Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children aged 7 to 12 years old ranged from 30 to 32%.
Considering these points, this Research Topic aims to update the progress of stunting alleviation and control of other nutrition problems, including any advances in methods and programs, in South and Southeast Asia. Submissions to this Research Topic will not only fill an important gap in nutrition knowledge across South and Southeast Asia, but also improve the nutrition intervention policy in preventing and controlling nutrition problems nationally, regionally, and globally. Topics may include, but are not limited to:
- Stunting prevention and control;
- Nutrition problems associated with pregnancy;
- Early childhood nutrition, education, and parenting;
- Obesity and non-communicable diseases (e.g., hypertension and cardiovascular disease);
- Environment and food safety;
- Cultural factors in eating behavior.
Brief Research Report, Case Report, Clinical Study Protocol, Clinical Trial, Community Case Study, Conceptual Analysis, Data Report, Editorial, Policy Brief, Policy and Practice Reviews, Study Protocol, and Systematic Review are welcome into this collection.
Keywords: Malnutrition, Stunting, Nutrition Deficiency, Dietary, Obesity, Determinant Factors, Early Childhood, Adolescents, Pregnancy, Sanitation, Hygiene, Environment, Specific Intervention, Sensitive Intervention, Health Policy, Anemia
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