Protein Energy Malnutrition Preventive Measures
Reference: 8th FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Nutrition for the prevention of PEM in the community
| a) Health promotion : | 1. Measures directed to pregnant and lactating women (education, distribution of supplements);
2. Promotion of breast-feeding; 3. Development of low-cost weaning foods: the child should be made to eat more food at frequent intervals; 4. Measures to improve family diet; 5. Nutrition education practices; Promotion of correct feeding 6. Home economics; 7. Family planning and spacing of births; and 8. Family environment. |
| (b) Specific protection : | 1. The child’s diet must contain protein and energyrich foods. Milk, eggs, fresh fruits should be given if possible;
2. Immunization; and 3. Food fortification. |
| (c) Early diagnosis and treatment : | 1. Periodic surveillance;
2. Early diagnosis of any lag in growth; 3. Early diagnosis and treatment of infections and diarrhoea; 4. Development of programmes for early rehydration of children with diarrhoea; 5. Development of supplementary feeding programmes during epidemics; and 6. Deworming of heavily infested children. |
| (d) Rehabilitation : | 1. Nutritional rehabilitation services;
2. Hospital treatment; and 3. Follow-up care |
