( CNN ) -- Hunger is stunting hundreds of millions of children in the developing world , and more than 90 percent of them live in Africa and Asia , UNICEF says . Poor nutrition is one of the main killers of young children , the U.N. Children 's Fund says in the new report `` Tracking Progress on Child and Maternal Nutrition . '' `` The report we have launched draws attention to the fact that 200 million children under the age of 5 in the developing world suffer from chronic undernutrition , '' said Werner Schultink , UNICEF 's associate director of nutrition . A lack of food can impair physical , mental and social abilities , the report says , adding that proper nutrition is important for mother and child . The 1,000 days from conception until a child 's second birthday are the most critical for development , according to UNICEF . Undernourished children `` will perform less well in school , they will be able to do less well as an adult and , even worse , their health situation in adult life may be negatively affected , '' Schultink said . `` They are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases , such as heart disease or diabetes . '' UNICEF says nutrition supplement programs have helped deliver vitamin A and iodized salt to vulnerable children in developing countries , boosting childhood mortality . Mothers also are being urged to breast-feed their children for at least the first six months to provide key antibodies and nutrients . Reducing and eliminating malnutrition is feasible , according to the report , which calls on the international community to provide urgent help or face the consequences . `` Global commitments on food security , nutrition and sustainable agriculture are part of a wider agenda that will help address the critical issues raised in this report , '' said Ann Veneman , UNICEF 's executive director . `` Unless attention is paid to addressing the causes of child and maternal undernutrition today , the costs will be considerably higher tomorrow . ''
Poor nutrition is one of the main killers of young children , UNICEF report says . Report : 200 million children younger than 5 suffer from chronic undernutrition . Undernourished kids more likely to suffer from chronic diseases such as heart disease , diabetes . Comment: