Fiji, Oct. 24 -- By Pita Ligaiula in Nadi

Study shows the Pacific has stagnant or rising rates of stunting in children.

This was revealed by Wendy Erasmus, UNICEF Pacific Chief of Health and Nutrition during her presentation on the 'Triple Burden of Malnutrition in Young Children of the Pacific'.

Wendy says nutrition is an essential precondition for early childhood development.

"The most prevalent nutritional threats in the Pacific to early childhood development cut across both undernutrition and overnutrition: stunting, micronutrient deficiency especially anaemia and overweight and obesity. The triple burden of malnutrition explains that these forms can be present at the same time in the same child, the same household and in the coun...