Micronutrient Deficiencies in Early Childhood Can Lower a Country's GDP: The Myanmar Example

Type Journal Article - Nutrition
Title Micronutrient Deficiencies in Early Childhood Can Lower a Country's GDP: The Myanmar Example
Author(s)
Volume 32
Issue 1
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2016
Page numbers 138-140
URL http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/26421387
Abstract
Myanmar (Burma) is a developing country in South East Asia. While Myanmar is among the 20 countries where 80% of the world's malnourished children live, its military consumes the majority of the national budget. Children who are malnourished between conception and age two are at high risk for impaired physical and mental development, which adversely affects the country's productivity and growth. Myanmar is facing three major micronutrient deficiencies which are iodine, iron and vitamin A deficiencies. The three micronutrient deficiencies can cost about 2.4% of the country's GDP. Children are the future of Myanmar and persistent micronutrient deficiencies will hamper its economic growth and lower its GDP.

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