Food security and nutrition are critical to the growth and development of human physiological systems.  The objective of this research is to review the role of nutritional factors in human physiological development by exploring findings from recent scientific research papers in PubMed. During prenatal development, the quality of maternal nutrition shapes the child's physical and mental development. Studies indicate that prenatal malnutrition and protein deficiency increase the risk of conditions such as anxiety and learning disabilities by around 55%. Studies indicate that approximately 53% deaths were attributed to malnutrition related illness across 53 developing countries. Both prenatal and postnatal malnutrition have shown a higher risk of health complications in children showing the importance of maintaining nutrition for the physiological development of the child. Almost 30% of the global population experience moderate to severe malnutrition, with high rates of underweight  children mainly in parts of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. These conditions result in a high risk of developing health conditions such as decreased brain function and development, micronutrient deficiency, Kwashiorkor and Marasmus disease, and even death. Providing nutritional education to pregnant women and parents on appropriate nutrition for themselves and their children during and after pregnancy, and improving access to nutritious food, is needed to break the cycle of food insecurity that has trapped millions of people. Improving nutritional education, along with policies that increase access to nutritious food, healthcare, stable income, and education, is essential to support optimal developmental physiology and reduce long-term health disparities.