At the end of the millennium, the World Health Organization (WHO) has commissioned a major study on nutrition in the socioeconomic development of countries in the South-East Asia Region. This report deals with the subject comprehensively and contains important data, references, concepts and ideas. It examines the impact of developmental transition on the food patterns, nutrition and health of countries in the region. It looks successively at demographic changes, trends in food production and consumption and nutritional status, the micronutrient deficiencies, growing environmental and urbanization problems. Drawing on experience from national nutrition programmes, well-adapted strategies are proposed for combating malnutrition and improving nutrition in the next two decades. The report extends far beyond strictly nutritional aspects to embrace the whole scope of environmental, demographic and socio-economic developmental trends and issues confronting mankind. This volume will not only be of value to the WHO, but also to national policy makers, decision-makers in the health and other sectors and to national nutrition programme managers.