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Micronutrient deficiencies in early childhood can lower a country's GDP: The Myanmar example

Aung Zaw Win1

  • 1Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont, CA, USA.

Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)
|October 1, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Micronutrient deficiencies in Myanmar disproportionately affect children, hindering physical and mental development. Addressing these deficiencies is crucial for Myanmar

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Development Economics
  • Pediatric Nutrition

Background:

  • Myanmar, a developing Southeast Asian nation, faces a high burden of child malnutrition.
  • Significant national budget allocation towards the military may divert resources from essential child welfare programs.
  • Early childhood malnutrition (conception to age two) has long-term consequences for cognitive and physical development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the critical issue of micronutrient deficiencies in Myanmar's child population.
  • To underscore the economic impact of widespread malnutrition on national productivity and GDP.
  • To advocate for increased focus on child nutrition for sustainable economic growth.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of existing data on child malnutrition rates in Myanmar.
  • Review of national budget allocation priorities.
  • Economic modeling to estimate the GDP impact of micronutrient deficiencies.

Main Results:

  • Myanmar is among the top 20 countries globally for child malnutrition.
  • The country faces critical deficiencies in iodine, iron, and vitamin A.
  • These deficiencies are estimated to cost the nation approximately 2.4% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Conclusions:

  • Persistent micronutrient deficiencies pose a significant threat to Myanmar's future economic prosperity.
  • Investing in child nutrition is essential for enhancing national productivity and GDP growth.
  • Prioritizing child health and nutrition is a critical development strategy for Myanmar.

Keywords:
EconomyGDPMalnutritionMicronutrient deficiencyMyanmar

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