Transcript MALNUTRITION - Nova Scotia Department of Education

MALNUTRITION
WHAT IS MALNUTRITION?
Malnutrition is:
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poor nutrition due to an insufficient, poorly
balanced diet, faulty digestion or poor utilization
of foods. (This can result in the inability to
absorb foods.)
Malnutrition is not only insufficient intake of
nutrients. It can occur when an individual is
getting excessive nutrients as well.
WHAT CAUSES
MALNUTRITION?
Human beings need a wide
variety of nutrients to supply
essential energy. Do you
know what nutrients we
need?
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protein
vitamins
minerals
If any one of these nutrients
is deficient in a person's diet,
he/she may suffer from
malnutrition
WHAT CAUSES
MALNUTRITION?
(continued)
Malnutrition also occurs when there is an
imbalance of energy and protein in an
individual’s diet. The body may become
unable to absorb the nutrients it requires
to function properly.
*For example, if a child is suffering from energy
and protein malnutrition, they will most likely
have deficiencies in iron, calcium, and other
vitamins and minerals.
WHO IS AFFECTED BY
MALNUTRITION?
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Individuals who are dependent on others for
their nourishment. (infants, children, the
elderly, prisoners)
Mentally disabled or ill because they are not
aware of what to eat.
People who are suffering from tuberculosis,
eating disorders, HIV/AIDS, cancer, or who
have undergone surgical procedures are
susceptible to interferences with appetite or
food uptake which can lead to malnutrition.
BUT DO YOU KNOW THE NUMBER
ONE FACTOR THAT CAUSES
MALNUTRITION?
POVERTY!
POVERTY…
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Nearly 3 billion people in the world are living on less
than $1 a day. They have little access to their basic needs,
including adequate nutrition to help their bodies stay in
balance. Poverty may also prevent individuals from
accessing education, which can lead to misinformation
about adequate nutrition.
Effects of malnutrition
Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to
various diseases which can be found
everywhere, but most often go without
cures/treatment in Less Developed
Countries (LDCs).
Kwashiokor/Marasmus
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Kwashiokor, which means “disease of the displaced
child” in the Ga language of Ghana is a protein
deficiency
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Similarly, Marasmus is a disease resulting from
protein deficiency
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characterized by inability to gain weight, diarrhea, lethargy and a
swollen belly.
can lead to coma as well as death.
affects children early in life (typically in the 1st year) slowing
growth, decreasing weight and hindering proper development.
Nutrition supplements, rehydration and education can
cure and prevent these diseases.
Beriberi
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Beriberi - thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency
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common in South East Asia where many diets consist solely of
white rice.
affects the proper functioning of the nervous system as well as
the circulatory system and heart.
Pregnant or breast feeding mothers and those who are ill
with fever may have a heightened dependency on
thiamine and may develop a deficiency.
Thiamine is best acquired through foods such as pork,
beef and whole grain (unrefined) breads and grains.
Pellagra
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Pellagra or “rough skin” - niacin (or
Tryptophan) deficiency
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often results in the “3 Ds”; diarrhea, dementia and
dermatitis.
The large scale consumption of corn has resulted
in many cases of pellagra because corns
nutrients are poorly absorbed in the body.
The best sources of Niacin are broccoli, eggs,
dates, beef, salmon, seeds and peanuts.
Scurvy
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Scurvy - due to Vitamin C deficiency
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characterized by bleeding around hair
follicles, anemia and gingivitis.
May occur in those who consume large
amounts of junk foods, smokers (smoking
depletes Vitamin C) and those who don’t
have proper access to sources of vitamin C.
(Namely, the poor)
Rickets
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Rickets - due to Vitamin D deficiencies
May result in a lack of proper calcium
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characterized by poorly developed and deformed
bones.
Vitamin D can be best found in beef products
(especially cows milk) but is very low in breast
milk.
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Thus, women in developing countries are
unknowingly contributing to this disease if their
babies sole source of nourishment is breast milk.
Food Distribution
Problems
War
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Famine often follows war
Not able to plant crops – too dangerous
Relief resources only available during
ceasefires
Sometimes the resources are taken by the
government or military powers to feed the
soldiers rather than the civilians
Debt
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Many countries owe the IMF or World Bank and
therefore sanctions are imposed on their countries
Forced to grow “cash crops” – coffee, cotton, tea,
sugar cane, peanuts
Less land for essential food crops
Means cutting spending on health, education, and
housing leading to greater poverty and the cycle
continues
Technology
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Green Revolution
Super seeds require more water, fertilizer and
pesticides
Poor countries can’t afford to grow food
Contaminates water
Genetically modified foods
Natural Causes
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Not as large a factor as the 3 mentioned above
Drought
Poor soil quality
Flooding
Climate