Nutrition/Malnutrition

Blog Week 2-Nutrition/Malnutrition

I choose nutrition/malnutrition for this assignment because it is important to the development of everyone especially children. If children do not get the proper nutrients it leads to underweight, overweight, anemia and a long list of illnesses and diseases. Although in the United States there are areas in low economic locations that people are still suffering. This especially true in other countries specifically Africa where in some areas there is no running water and enough food to eat. It is important to me because here in the United States there are so many people who are obese and many bulimic  who have access to nutritious foods and don’t take advantage of it or take too much for granted 

Certain people are more susceptible to malnutrition than others. For example, individuals in rapid periods of growth, such as infants, adolescent.
In developing nations, more than half of all deaths among children under five years old are due to malnutrition. Malnourished children who survive may experience stunted growth, illness, and lifelong malnourishment.

Pregnant women, have higher nutritional needs than others, and are therefore more susceptible to the effects of poor nutrition. Those living in deprived socioeconomic circumstances or that lack adequate sanitation, education, or the means to procure food are also at risk. Most importantly, individuals at risk for systemic infections (particularly gastrointestinal ) and those who suffer with a chronic disease are at greatly increased risk because they require additional energy to support their immune system and often have decreased absorption of nutrients .

Some research has identified malnourished children as being more likely to suffer episodes of infectious disease, as well as episodes of longer duration and greater severity, than other children. In particular, hookworm , malaria , and chronic diarrhea have been linked with malnutrition. These conditions are more prevalent in the developing world than in the industrialized world, though malnutrition exists worldwide, particularly in areas of poverty and among patients with chronic disease or who are hospitalized and on enteric feeding.

Necessary Nutrients

The WHO's Department of Nutrition for Health and Development is responsible for formulating dietary and nutritional guidelines for international use. Adequate total nutrition includes the following nutrients: protein , energy ( calories ), vitamin A and carotene, vitamin D , vitamin E, vitamin K, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin , vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, biotin , folate , vitamin C, antioxidants , calcium , iron , zinc , selenium, magnesium, and iodine. Most important are protein and the caloric/energy requirement needed to utilize protein. If these elements are inadequate, the result is a protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), or protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM), which affects one in every four children worldwide, with the highest concentration in Asia. Chronic deficiencies of protein and calories result in a condition called marasmus , while a diet high in carbohydrates but low in protein causes a condition called kwashiorkor .

I had not thought too much of the need in Africa only when I see it on television when there is a talk show or internet article on the news but I think since having to do this for an assignment and after reading and researching this topic, I am more socially conscious of the needs of people in Africa. I plan find an organization that is reputable and start sending a donation monthly to help those less fortunate in the hope that I will make a difference if only for one family.

Reference :

Schroeder, Dirk G. (2001). "Malnutrition." In Nutrition and Health in Developing Countries, ed. Richard Semba and Martin Bloem. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press.

Read more: Malnutrition - calcium, effects, food, nutrition, needs, body, diet, absorption, health, protein, nutrients, carbohydrates, vitamin, weight, People at Risk, Necessary Nutrients http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/Kwa-Men/Malnutrition.html#ixzz1MOO2IUiC