ch. 21 global nutrition and malnutrition
How Can We Reduce Hunger?
•Safe water -Approximately 1.8 Billion people worldwide lack access to safe drinking water -Solutions include using solar energy to purify water, protecting natural watersheds, integrated water management, and eliminating contaminants.
what factors contribute to malnutrition in the united states
- food desserts * parts of the country that have limited r no access to foods that make up a healthy diet - illness and disability can also lead to hunger * can predispose individual to earn less income * less productive at work or lack medical care to receive treatment - drug and alcohol abuse * can cause poverty, hunger, or even homelessness - mental illness * may be unable to work * can lose interest in eating or have decreased access to food and cooking facilities
what are hunger and malnutrition?
- hunger is a discomfort caused by a lack of food paired with a desire to eat - malnutrition is a lack of proper nutrition. this is caused by: * not having enough to eat * being unable to use the food that one does eat * not eating enough of the right foods
malnutrition can appear as:
- undernutrition: condition that results when a person consumes too little of one or many nutrients - overnutrition: conditions that results when a person consumes too much of one or may nutrients
How Can We Reduce Hunger?
-International education focus areas include: ▪Literacy ▪Technical knowledge ▪Agricultural skills ▪Health education ▪Management of natural resources
what factors contribute to malnutrition in the united states
food insecurity is common in: - older adults * decreased mobility and inadequate finances increase risk of food insecurity * some may have food insufficiency (too little food availber) - individuals and families living in rural or urban areas * food access is inconsistent due to financial or other circumstances
what factors contribute to malnutrition in the united states
poverty is the primary cause of food insecurity in the united states - inner cities *adverse cultural and behavioral factors - rural areas * household income and education levels are *unemployment is higher - poverty is difficult to overcome * unemployment * lack of resources to age and keep a job *lack of education or training , poorhealth , limited access to credit, poor financial choices, medical issues
what factors contribute to malnutrition in the united states
those at greatest risk for being food insecure: - household headed by a single woman - household members are in a minority group - household income is below poverty level high housing and utility costs consume most f the paycheck, leaving little money for food - may be living " paycheck to paycheck" - have children in the household individuals classified as "working poor" can also be food insecure
How Can We Reduce Hunger?
•Agricultural practices and techniques -Biotechnology ▪Production of genetically modified foods can increase yield and resistance to pests. ▪Staple crops can be bioengineered to contain certain nutrients. -"Golden rice" is one example. ▪Can improve foods' taste or shelf life -Organic farming ▪Improves the biodiversity of soil ▪Healthier plants and disease resistance
How Can We Reduce Hunger?
•Agricultural practices and techniques (continued) -Land management ▪Use productive land for food instead of for nonconsumable crops or other uses. ▪Land ownership can aid in decisions regarding irrigation, crop rotation, and soil management. •Proper sanitation -2.4 billion people lack basic sanitation facilities. -Poor sanitation is linked to the spread cholera, diarrhea, hepatitis A and other communicable diseases
Which Populations are at Greatest Risk for Malnutrition?
•Children -Food shortages in the family -If malnourished, can develop poor appetite -Being born to an H I V - positive mother increases the risk of malnutrition. -Loss of one or both parents increases the risk of malnourishment.
How Can We Reduce Hunger?
•Fortify foods to raise nutrient levels. -The most common nutrient deficiencies worldwide are of iodine, iron, and vitamin A. -Adding these nutrients to food (fortification) is an inexpensive solution that can reduce the prevalence of deficiency. -Commonly fortified foods include rice, cereal, flour, salt, and sugar.
What are the Effects of Chronic Hunger?
•Impaired growth and development in children -Malnutrition in childhood has physical and mental effects. ▪Insufficient weight gain ▪Improper muscle development ▪Lowered resistance to infection ▪Growth stunting ▪Impaired brain development ▪Increased anxiety, irritability, attention problems
What are the Effects of Chronic Hunger?
•Infant and child mortality rates increase. -Girls are unable to support a healthy pregnancy when they become adults. -Infants born to malnourished women are more likely to be malnourished, have chronic illness, and risk premature death.
Which Populations are at Greatest Risk for Malnutrition?
•Infants -Immune system is not fully developed. -Rapid growing requires high nutrient levels. -Dependent on caregiver for nourishment -After 6 months of age, solid food can be given. ▪May be difficult to meet needs if food supplies are limited ▪If given contaminated food or water, diarrhea and dehydration may occur. -When they begin to crawl, there is increased exposure to parasitic infestations that can lead to malnutrition.
Agricultural Challenges and Food Waste
•Introduction of genetically modified high-yield crops. -World produces 17% more kcals per person than 30 years ago. ▪Enough to provide everyone in the world with 2,700 kilocalories/day. •High production of high-yield crops is unsustainable in the long term. •One-third of all food produced is never consumed.
Discrimination and Inequality Promote Poverty
•May occur at the national or local level -National level: Control over land and other assets is often unequal, so that even increased crop yields do not decrease food insecurity. -Local level: Cultural practices compromise access to food at the local and household level. -The amount of food available to an individual is influenced by gender, control of income, education, birth order, and age. ▪Females are viewed as less valuable, so they receive less food and education.
Natural Disasters and Depleted Resources Limit Food Production
•Natural disasters can create food and water shortages. -Include drought, floods, crop diseases, insects -Impact is hard to overcome in underdeveloped nations •Developing nations with an agriculture-based economy may use lands or practices that are not environmentally friendly. -Could lead to depletion of natural resources, which could cause food and water shortages in the long term •Population growth in developing areas strains the local food supply.
Which Populations are at Greatest Risk for Malnutrition?
•Obesity is common in those who are food insecure. -High-fat, high-kilocalorie diets are more affordable. -Mothers restrict food intake to provide food for their children during period of food insufficiency. ▪Chronic increases and decreases in food intake can lead to obesity. -People on limited incomes often purchase cheaper, lower-quality foods.
Political Sanctions and Armed Conflicts Disrupt the Food Supply
•Political sanctions and armed conflict -Sanctions: Boycotts or embargoes used by one country to politically pressure another country ▪Often create food shortages by reducing availability of agricultural supplies, fuels, or crops -Negative outcomes may include: ▪Higher prices for fuel, food, and other essentials ▪Deprivation of clean drinking water and food ▪A decrease in household income -Armed conflict ▪Hinders humanitarian food distribution
Which Populations are at Greatest Risk for Malnutrition?
•Pregnant and lactating women -Higher energy and nutrient requirements during pregnancy -Infants born malnourished if mother is malnourished -Breast-feeding is encouraged. ▪First 6 months: Exclusive breast-feeding ▪6 months to 2 years: Breast-feeding with supplemental foods
Overpopulation Leads to Food Scarcity
•Projected world population by 2030: 8.5 billion; 2050: 9.7 billion -Most growth occurs in less developed regions. -Overpopulation strains the nutritional status of the local people. •People in underdeveloped countries have more children due to poor health conditions. -Higher infancy death rate -Children needed to help raise food to support the family
How Can We Reduce Hunger?
•Promote education. -Education provides economic and career opportunities in addition to self-confidence. -More educated populations enjoy: ▪Higher earning potential ▪Improved sanitation ▪More small businesses and rural enterprises ▪Lower rates of infant mortality and improved child welfare ▪Higher likelihood of technological advancement
How Can We Reduce Hunger?
•Solutions within the United States include: -Local efforts ▪Assistance from families, churches, and community relief agencies in offering -Hot meal or free-food programs -Education or job training -Corporate and government efforts ▪Providing food aid ▪Creating economic opportunity
What Factors Contribute to Malnutrition Around the World?
•The U N estimates there are 795 million undernourished people in the world. •Hunger exists in every country around the world. -In the United States, hunger most frequently results from individual economic hardship and poverty. -In the developing world, hunger is caused by poverty, war, civil unrest, and famine. •Hunger is less prevalent in developed countries than in developing or least developed countries.
Which Populations are at Greatest Risk for Malnutrition?
•The ill and elderly -Chronic illness can lead to malabsorption of nutrients. ▪Kidney and liver disease ▪Cancer and A I D S -Elderly have a high risk of malnutrition due to: ▪Increased requirements of certain nutrients paired with a reduced kilocalorie need ▪Decreased sense of taste and smell ▪Likelihood of depression, loneliness, or apathy ▪Physical difficulties and immobility
What are the Effects of Chronic Hunger?
•Weakened immunity results in disease. -Malnutrition causes a weak immune system, increasing susceptibility to infection. -More than one-third of childhood deaths in developing countries are hunger related.
What are the Effects of Chronic Hunger?
•When food and water are limited, nutrient deficiencies occur. •Severe kilocalorie restriction -Lowered B M R -Breakdown of lean tissue ▪Reduction of stored fat and deterioration of internal organs and muscle mass ▪> 50 percent of body mass can be lost.