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Undernutrition remains a major public health problem among children living in Asia. Although the burden is maximal among poorer, rural and Indigenous communities, the problem affects the majority in many Asian countries, especially in South Asia. In order to prevent the pervasive consequences of undernutrition, strategies that address this burden are required. Successful implementation of strategies may be limited by the complex aetiology of undernutrition, including the political setting. Rising food insecurity because of climate change, land use for biofuel production and the recent global financial crisis threaten to exacerbate childhood malnutrition. In this review, we describe the burden of undernutrition among Asian children and discuss contributing factors and potential solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Almost 300 million children under 5 years of age are anemic worldwide. International policymakers recommend universal distribution of iron-based interventions - either iron supplements or iron-containing multiple micronutrient powders - to alleviate the burden of anemia in young children. When considering whether to implement universal iron interventions, it is essential to balance the putative benefits with possible risks. The key rationale for deploying universal iron interventions to reduce anemia in young children is to improve development, growth, and well-being. While plausible, few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of iron interventions have carefully assessed these outcomes and there is currently inadequate evidence to support the hypothesis that universal iron interventions provide benefits on functional child health outcomes. Conversely, several important RCTs have found that when iron interventions are given to all children in a population, they may increase infection risk. Other possible risks of iron interventions have not yet been extensively described but include a risk of iron overdose and long-term iron loading in high-risk individuals. Identifying whether these interventions provide a net benefit or harm to populations is challenging. Until the quality of evidence for benefits improves, implementation of universal iron interventions in young children should be undertaken with caution., (© 2020 Nestlé Nutrition Institute, Switzerland/S. Karger AG, Basel.)