Chapter 12: Undernutrition Throughout the World
What percentage of undernutrition live at or below poverty level in the U.S.?
15%
What is the role of new biotechnology in the developing world?
29 countries planted 395 million acres of crops enhanced through biotechnology in 2011; benefits remain to be seen; synthesis of super crop that resists disease, pests, may reduce undernutrition, improve nutritional content, increase crop yield
How many people globally are currently infected with HIV?
34 million worldwide; 34% of sub-saharan Africa are HIV positive, 1.1 million in U.S, 1 in 5 aware
How many people worldwide are uncertain about their next meal?
900 million
What factors contribute to undernutrition?
AIDS, rapid depletion of natural resources, such as farmland, fish, and water, poor infrastructure, high external (foreign) debt, extreme imbalances in food/population ratio, war and political/civil unrest
What are the characteristics and causes of famine?
Characteristics: Large-scale loss of life, social disruption, economic chaos, human distress; Causes: Crop failure, bad weather, war/political unrest
What is the definition of malnutrition?
Condition of impaired development or function caused by deficiency or excess
Describe one biotechnological technique for transferring foreign DNA into an organism:
DNA of the host plant, corn + gene from bacteria (B+ gene) that produces a protein toxic to the European corn borer = B+ gene inserted into DNA of corn plant. Now the corn plant is genetically modified. It makes the B+ toxin and so it is resistant o the European corn borer
What are the goals of sustainable agriculture?
Environmental health, economic profitability, social and economic equity, maitenance or enhancement of land and natural resources. consumer safety, safe working conditions for laborers
What is the definition of overnutrition?
Excess amount of food leading to overconsumption and poor food choices
What is famine?
Extreme shortage of food leading to massive starvation in a population
What is the definition of undernutrition?
Food supply insufficient to meet needs of a population
How may biotechnology contribute to meeting food needs worldwide?
Genetic engineering Recombinant DNA technology; Traditional cross-breeding of plants/animals has inconsistent results; Genetically modified organism (GMO), transgenic organism; FDA confident approved varieties of genetically engineered foods are safe to consume, no labeling; Coalition, Right to Know GMO active in many states and federal level to require labeling
What are the Millennium development goals?
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women Goal 4: Reduce child mortality Goal 5: Improve maternal health Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases Goal 7: Ensure environmental and other diseases Goal 8: Global partnership for development
Why is it important to find solution to poverty and hunger in the U.S.?
Government programs are not enough; Recent funding has begun to expire; State governments protecting right of individuals and groups to share food; Responsibility of all citizens; Long-term undernutrition has both individual and societal consequences; EVERYONE can be affected; Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI), grocery stores, small retailers, corner stores, farmers markets to underserved in urban, rural areas
What factors influence the presence of poverty, homelessness, and undernutrition?
High cost of housing, subsidies for housing decreased, low income families likely to spend more than half of their income for rent.
What are the major causes of homelessness in the U.S.?
High cost of housing, subsidies for housing decreased, low income families likely to spend more than half their income for rent, release of mentally ill patients, alcohol/drug abuse
Why is development tailored to local conditions important in combating world hunger?
Increase economic opportunities for women (make up 70% of worlds poor), gender and development approach, supplement indigenous foods with nutrients, promote extensive land-ownership, raise economic status through employment
What effects have overpopulation and increased urbanization had on nutrition and disease risk?
Increased infections, migration to cities, unsafe water supply
How have war and declines in natural resources contributed to undernutrition in developing countries?
Increasing military equipment will leave little room for undernutrition methods.
Why does undernutrition continue despite adequate food resources?
Increasing population growth, slower food supply growth, increase in poverty, huge disparities between rich and poor in regard to access and affordability of food
What are the general effects of starvation?
Initially no visible clinical signs, may affect reproductive capacity, weakened immune system, low physical and mental capacity, depressed lab values, combination of micronutrient deficiencies
What are the most critical micronutrients missing from diets worldwide?
Iron, Zinc, Vitamin A, Various B vitamins, and Iodide
What are the benefits versus negative effects of direct food aid in reduction of undernutrition in developing countries?
Negative: not a long term solution, inappropriate nature of donated foods; Positive: drives down local food prices, creates dependence on outside sources, improves infrastructure for the poor; especially rural poor
How does nutritional status affect progression of AIDS?
Nutrition cannot prevent or cure HIV and AIDS, nutritional status affects progression because low vitamin A and E brings quicker onset of symptoms, use of balanced vitamins and mineral supplements slows decline, HIV-positive children require 10% greater energy intake than non HIV
Describe undernutrition at the critical stages of pregnancy
Nutritional needs are higher; Fetal development is affected; Fetus may deplete maternal nutrient stores; Cumulative effect of successive pregnancies close together does not allow mother to recover nutrients like iron and folate Results in increased risk of death of woman and/or child MDG goal 5 reduce the maternal mortality ratio by three quarters between 1990 and 2015 has been lagging
Describe undernutrition at the critical stages of childhood.
Period of rapid growth Especially brain and CNS; Permanent brain impairment Stunted growth WHO reports that nearly 165 million suffer from stunting Impaired motor skills; Low resistance to infection Iron deficiency anemia
What is the definition of hunger?
Physiological state that results when not enough food is eaten to meet energy needs
Describe undernutrition at the critical stages of fetal and infant stages.
Poor growth and development Pre-term delivery Immature lungs Weakened immune system; Long-term health problems Increased health care costs
What are some examples of food assistance programs in the U.S.?
School Lunch program established in 1946. Food Stamp program, for low income
What region has the highest instance of undernutrition from 2012-2014?
Southern Africa (276 million out of 805 million)
What strategies can be used to address nutrient deficiencies?
Supplementation or fortification of ready to use foods
What is sustainable development versus sustainable agriculture?
Sustainable development: Economic growth that simultaneously reduces poverty, protects environment, preserves natural capital Sustainable agriculture system provides secure living for farm families maintains natural environment, resources supports rural community offers respect, fair treatment to all involved farm workers to consumers to animals raised for food
What is food insecurity?
The condition of anxiety about running out of food or money to buy food
What factors can lead to situational poverty?
The seven Ds: Divorce, death, disease, downsizing, disability, disaster, debt
What have been the trends in terms of numbers of new cases of HIV infection since 2001?
They have been increasing for adults and children living with HIV from 29.4 million to 35 million, but have decreased for children newly affected from 3.2 million to 2.1 million
How is HIV transmitted?
Virus is transmitted via contact with bodily fluids,
Describe undernutrition at the critical stages later years.
WHO predicts significant increase in people 65+ to 1.5 billion by 2050; Require nutrient-dense foods; Many on fixed incomes Many forced to choose between medication or food Lower resistance to infection
What nutrient-deficiency diseases commonly accompany undernutrition?
Xerophalmia, Rickets, Berberi, Ariboflavinosis, Pellagra, Megaloblastic anemia, Scurvy, and Goiter