An Introduction to Malnutrition
Malnutrition manifests itself in many different forms and, although it is commonly perceived as being severely underweight, it includes obesity and diet related non-communicable diseases that many do not immediately think of. The UN and other organisations are fighting against extreme malnutrition that faces countries across the planet, both wealthy and poor, this includes food relief aid and education. Malnutrition has its worst effects for children under the age of 5, and undernutrition plays a role in about 45% of deaths of children in this age range, mainly occurring in low and middle-income countries. The economic, social, medical and developmental consequences of the global burden of malnutrition are severe and persistent for individuals and their families, and communities and countries.
The different forms of malnutrition
Undernutrition -> this includes wasting, stunting, underweight and vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Children in particular are much more likely to get sick and die because of this. Wasting is caused by recent and severe weight loss due to lack of ingested food or infectious disease, such as diarrhea, although this condition can be treated.
Stunting -> this is defined as a low height-to-age ratio, this is a result of chronic or recurrent undernutrition usually associated with poor health and nutrition of the mother, frequent diseases, disadvantaged socio-economic conditions, and/or inadequate feeding and care of infants and young children. This prevents children from realizing their physical and cognitive potential.
Any one of these issues causes low weight-to-age ratio, meaning they are underweight.
Micronutrient malnutrition
Micronutrients include vitamins and minerals, which help produce enzymes and hormones necessary for proper growth and development. Deficiencies in iodine, vitamin A and iron are the most prominent in public health worldwide, which pose a major threat to health and development of people around the world, especially for low-income countries.
Overweight and obesity
This is classed as an elevated weight-to-height ratio where abnormal and excessive accumulation of fat can have adverse health consequences. BMI is usually used to determine this and these conditions usually result from an imbalance between the energy consumed and the energy expended.
Diet-related non-communicable diseases
Certain cancers, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases can arise from poor diet and nutrition globally.
Scope of the problem
In 2014, about 462 million adults worldwide were underweight, and 1.9 billion were overweight or obese (this is nearly 2/7 of the population!).
In 2016, an estimated 155 million children under the age of 5 were stunted, and 41 million were overweight or obese.
While rates of overweight and obese children are on the rise, in the same countries undernutrition plays a role in about 45% of deaths of children under the age of 5.
Populations at risk
Nearly every country is affected by some form of malnutrition, and it is one of the most important challenges for global health. Those at high risk of malnutrition include women, children, and adolescents. In the first 1000 days of life, it is particularly important to optimize nutrition, to ensure the best possibly start to life and positive long-term effects.
Poverty amplifies the risk of malnutrition where people with fewer resources are more likely to be affected by different forms of malnutrition. It also increases health care spending, reduces productivity, slowing economic growth, which fuels a vicious cycle of poverty and bad health.
The UN’s work against malnutrition
2016-2025 has been proclaimed as the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition, to combat all forms of malnutrition. The relevant targets include ones from the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – specifically Goal 2 (end global hunger, ensure food security, ameliorate nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture) and 3 (ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages).
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Decade of Action on Nutrition calls for action in 6 key areas:
1. Strengthen and promote nutrition governance and accountability everywhere
2. Create safe and supportive environment for nutrition at all ages
3. Bringing health systems into line with nutritional needs (universal coverage of essential nutrition interventions)
4. Ensuring social protection and nutrition awareness for all
5. Creating sustainable and resilient food systems that support healthy eating
WHO’s work against malnutrition
The WHO’s goal is for malnutrition in all its forms to be eradicated worldwide and for the health and well-being of everyone to be guaranteed. They use evidence to establish guidelines based on sound scientific and ethical frameworks, which are closely monitored for their durations to ensure good outcomes.
Other measures to end malnutrition are also key to ending malnutrition:
- Comprehensive Implementation Plan on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition
- World Health Assembly
- Global Action Plan for the Control of Noncommunicable Diseases 2013-2020
- Global strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health 2016-2030
- 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
More information on the adversities that the Zero Hunger goal is facing at the moment.
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