Indirect losses from poor cognitive development and losses in schooling;and losses caused by increased health care costs. The economic costs of malnutrition are very high-several billion dollars a year in terms of lost gross domestic product (GDP). Relying on markets and economic growth alone means it will take more than a generation to solve the problem. But specific investments can accelerate improvement, especially programs for micronutrient fortification and supplementation and community-based growth promotion. The economic returns to investing in such programs are very high.