Poor nutrition leads to the deaths of about 3.1 million under-fives annually², it says.

 

An international team reviewed different causes of malnutrition in pregnancy³ and childhood.

 

They say the first 1,000 days of life - from conception to two years - have lasting⁴ consequences for health.

 

Malnutrition - which includes being overweight or obese⁵ as well as under-nourished - also has an economic impact.

 

According to a recent United Nations report, malnutrition is estimated to cost the world $3.5tn - or $500 for every person - in healthcare and lost productivity.

 

A team led by Prof Robert Black, of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, US, reviewed evidence on maternal⁶ and child under-nutrition and obesity⁷ in low-income and middle-income countries since 2008.

 

The team also assessed national and international progress on nutrition programmes.

 

Prof Black and colleagues say while some progress has been made in recent years, they estimate that more than 165 million children were affected⁸ by stunting⁹ (low height for age) and 50 million by wasting (low weight for height) in 2011.

 

An estimated 900,000 lives could be saved in 34 countries if 10 proven nutritional¹⁰ interventions¹¹ were scaled-up to 90% of the world, they say.

 

"The nutritional consequences of the months during pregnancy and the conditions during the first two years of life have very important consequences for mortality and for adult chronic¹² disease," Prof Black told BBC News. 

 

"The early nutritional deficit¹³ results in developmental consequences for the individual and that has implications for their ability to succeed in school and ultimately in society to have the most productive jobs."

 

The researchers warn that countries will not break out of poverty unless nutrition becomes a global priority. 

 

Dr Richard Horton, editor-in-chief of the Lancet, said: "If maternal and child nutrition can be optimised, the benefits will accrue¹⁴ and extend over generations, which is why we must work together now to seize this opportunity."

 

Experts working in development are gathering¹⁵ in London this weekend for a summit on nutrition hosted by the UK and Brazilian governments.

 

This will be followed by the annual summit of leaders from the G8 countries.

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