Tobacco smoking most critical factor linked with stunting in children: WHO

Tobacco use is not only related to cancers and tuberculosis but plays a significant role in child stunting a condition that affects nearly 150 million children worldwide according to the World Health Organization WHOOf the approximately 148 million stunted children in the world in 2022 52 per cent lived in Asia and 43 per cent in Africa Stunting is also associated with increased morbidity and mortality in childrenIn a recently published document the WHO highlights the harmful role of tobacco use in child stuntingThe publication is the 11th in a series of tobacco knowledge summaries and recaps the current evidence on the topic It is intended for health professionals policymakers and public health advocatesIn the document WHO calls on governments to strengthen tobacco control policies and protect childrenrsquos health by reducing their exposure to tobacco smoke especially while in the wombldquoStunting robs children of their right to grow learn and thriverdquo said Dr Etienne Krug director of the Department of Health Determinants Promotion and Prevention at WHO ldquoChildren with parents who smoke face a higher risk of stuntingrdquoStunting is impaired growth and development that children experience as a result of poor nutrition repeated infection and inadequate psychosocial stimulation Children are considered stunted if their heightforage is more than two standard deviations below the WHO Child Growth Standards medianThe report noted that children whose parents smoke face a higher risk of stunted growth with risks increasing the more they are exposed Maternal smoking during pregnancy is strongly linked to preterm birth low birth weight and restricted fetal growth all predictors of stunting by age twoHeavy smoking during pregnancy harms the baby with stronger effects the more the mother smokes The harm can persist well beyond infancy Further evidence also shows that quitting smoking during pregnancy improves child growth outcomesldquoTobacco smoke contains thousands of toxic chemicals that harm foetal and child development Exposure during pregnancy contributes to growth restriction congenital anomalies and later chronic diseases Secondhand smoke exposure after birth worsens respiratory infections and development problems further raising the risk of stuntingrdquo the report saidThe WHO urged countries to fully implement the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control WHO FCTC and its MPOWER measures proven strategies to cut down tobacco use and protect health This includes protecting pregnant women and children from secondhand smoke supporting tobacco cessation services especially for expectant mothers and enforcing smokefree environments in all indoor public spacesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever