MALNUTRITION

Malnutrition

 

Malnutrition is the physical condition that caused by taking an unbalanced diet; which certain nutrients are lacking.  A number of different nutrition disorders may arise, depending on which nutrients are under or overabundant in the diet. In this connection, the World Health Organization noted that malnutrition as the greatest single threat to the world’s public health, must be widely given focus as the most effective form of aid and emergency measures that include  providing micronutrients  through sachet powders like peanut butteror directly through supplements.  In addition, the famine relief operation program has been increasingly used by international civic groups in order to give cash vouchers to the hungry population in every part of the world.  Aside from this, there is a long term measure implemented by the WHO through investing in modern agriculture in countries lack fertilizers and irrigation, which largely eradicated hunger in the developed world. However, World Bank strictures restrict government subsidies for farmers and the spread of fertilizer use is hampered by some environmental groups. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malnutrition)

Based on the report made by Jean Ziegker, United Nations Special Reporter; mortality rate has been increasing since 2006 due to malnutrition.  There is approximately 62 million people die due to lack of proper food nutrition.  World Health Organization also added that   malnutrition is by far the biggest contributor to child mortality, present in half of all cases; and six million children die due to hunger in a year.  As regards malnutrition, 2.2 million underweight newly born babies die every year because of poor or lack of breastfeeding system from their mothers. Many children worldwide are found to be nutrients deficient such as lack of Vitamin A or Zinc.  Malnourished children grow up with worse health and lower educational achievements. And, when these children once become parents, their own children also tend to be smaller. Malnutrition has been previously seen as something that exacerbates the problems of diseases as measles, pneumonia and diarrhea. But malnutrition actually causes diseases as well, and can be fatal to everyone.  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malnutrition)

Furthermore, malnutrition increases the risk of infection and infectious disease; for instance, it is a major risk factor in the onset of active tuberculosis. Whereas, in communities or areas that lack access to safe drinking water, these additional health risks present a critical problem. Lower energy and impaired function of the brain also represent the downward spiral of malnutrition as victims are less able to perform the tasks they need to in order to acquire food, earn an income, or gain an education.  Moreover, it is also the cause of iodine deficiency among people specially children.  It is well observed that even moderate iodine deficiency, especially in pregnant women and infants, lowers intelligence by 10 to 15 I.Q. points, shaving incalculable potential off a nation’s development. The most visible and severe effects of iodine deficiency is goiters, cretinism and dwarfism. These diseases affect a tiny minority, usually in mountain villages. But 16 percent of the world’s people have at least mild goiter, a swollen thyroid gland in the neck.  According to research, entire awareness of nutritious meal choices every day; as well as establishing long-term healthy eating habits has a great positive impact on the cognitive and spatial memory capacity of every student.  By this way, the students will be able to have a great potential to retain in their brain as many academic information as they can.  This is also the major reason that some organizations have started working with teachers, policymakers, and managed foodservice contractors to give direction on the improved nutritional content and increased nutritional resources in school canteens and cafeterias from primary to college level institutions worldwide. (http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/malnutrition/en/) Subsequently, health and nutrition have obviously been proven to play major role in the educational success of any student.  It has been reported that less than 10 percent of American college students are recommended to eat five servings of fruit and vegetables a day.   It is shown that better nutrition has large effect on both cognitive and spatial memory performance of the students.  Additionally, a study shows that those people or students with higher blood sugar levels performed better on certain memory tests. On the other hand, those who consumed yogurt performed better on thinking tasks when compared to those who consumed caffeine free diet soda or confections.] Nutritional deficiencies have been shown to have a negative effect on learning behavior in mice as they were being experimented in 1951.  In view thereof, better nourished children excel significantly in school compare to the malnourished children. And, nutritional education is an effective and workable model in a higher education setting in order to produce more   successful individuals in the world.

(http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/malnutrition/en/)

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malnutrition

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/diseases/malnutrition/en/

 

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