In winter time, cold stress elevates the need for energy still further. At the time of writing, the majority of the population endure the severity of the Korean winter inadequately clad and with insufficient and unreliable heating. Health delivery systems have been undermined due to the general collapse of infrastructure, shortages of fuel and the lack of raw materials. Shortages of food, medicine, equipment and a deterioration of the most basic infrastructure such as water and sanitation have led to a near total breakdown of health services. The brunt of such deprivation is inevitably borne by those least able to cope, women and young children.
Young mothers experience problems in giving birth due to undeveloped reproductive systems.
Interviews with mothers commonly report weight gain during pregnancy as less than half the internationally recommended requirement.