Why The First 1,000 Days Of A Child’s Life Are Vital
Why The First 1,000 Days Of A Child’s Life Are Vital
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and that means food— and lots of it.
Holiday staples like turkey, sweet potatoes and cranberries have lots of vitamins and minerals, but for some 170 million children around the globe, good nutrition is not a guarantee.
In Cook County, one of seven people doesn’t have access to enough affordable and nutritious food, according to Feeding America. And in the international community, there’s a new focus on the economic and social costs of childhood hunger.
Journalist Roger Thurow ties together the most up-to-date research in his new book The First 1000 Days: A Crucial Time For Mothers and Children and the World. He joins us to talk about how malnutrition impacts children’s physical and cognitive development and how this can carry through even into adulthood. We’re also joined by Celeste Bowen, who works with the non-profit Ounce of Prevention to help new mothers learn why good nutrition is key in the first two years of a baby’s life.