title: [Reducing chronic malnutrition among the disadvantaged populations to promote health and development].
abstract: This article advances theoretical and conceptual arguments to justify efforts to reduce chronic malnutrition as a basic component of any strategy for promoting health and development in countries with a high malnutrition prevalence. The arguments rest on four cardinal principles of contemporary social epidemiology, in whose framework reducing chronic malnutrition would be a key strategic component: the social determinants approach, the life course as the clinical-epidemiological paradigm, the concept of heredity and population health, and recognition of the family as a social determinant. Added to these are the close association between nutrition, health, and development, on the one hand, and the political significance of any strategy that makes the fight against chronic malnutrition the most visible focus of programmatic action.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de la Habana, Cuba.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bacallao
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peña
authors.forename: Adrián
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Díaz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000740:Anemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003467:Cultural Deprivation; D003906:Developing Countries; D005192:Family Health; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006291:Health Policy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011203:Poverty; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D035862:Vulnerable Populations