The world is not as hungry as you might think

-

Bichell, R. (2015, October 16). The world is not as hungry as you might think.  Retrieved from http://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2015/10/16/447157158/the-world-is-not-as-hungry-as-you-might-think?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=2042


Approximately 40,000 people have died each year since 2000 due to starvation, a large decrease from 1.4 million individuals during 1870-1970.  Despite this decrease in hunger related deaths, about 800 million people are undernourished today.  This article discusses the Global Health Index (GHI) and its use in rating countries based on a scale of 1 to 100.  The GHI is based on the prevalence of undernourishment, child wasting, child stunting, and child mortality.

Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Croatia, Latvia, Peru, Mongolia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, and Venezuela are countries singled out in this report for being the “most improved countries” in combating hunger.  An increased economy, decreased civil war, and implementation of national programs that provide cash to poor households are just some of the ways these countries are improving their hunger rates. In contrast, Chad, Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Central African Republic, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Namibia, and Kuwait are reported as being the “least improved.” The continuation of AIDS/HIV and use of war tactics that force individuals to starve are two major contributors to hunger rates in developing countries.  One of the last statements in this article is “the extremes of starvation that we see are often man-made.” 

-AC

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you struggle with pre and post exercise nutrition?

-
Image
What should i eat before and after a workout? First things first…carbohydrates, proteins and fats are important for the body before  and after exercise. Exercising muscle preferentially uses carbohydrates from stored glycogen, but fats are also an important fuel source for energy production during exercise. Fats and carbohydrates are the two major fuel sources during exercise. Fats must be translocated and broken down from their storage form before they are used. Typically there is enough carbohydrate stored as muscle glycogen for exercise but as muscle glycogen stores decline, the skeletal muscle will then use some amino acids (basic components of all protein). More specifically, the amino acid leucine is used for energy.              It is important to consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates exercise to delay fatigue and minimize gastrointestinal distress. It is also important to consume enough fluids to prev...
Read more

Child Malnutrition

-
New approach to childhood malnutrition may reduce relapses, deaths http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150211124024.htm               Moderate acute malnutrition is experienced by 35 million children worldwide. A new study led by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has suggested that feeding children until they have met target measures of arm circumference and weight may be more important than a set 12 week feeding time. However, researchers have found that the current targets, set by the World Health Organization (WHO) may not be sufficient and raising these targets slightly could significantly reduce the risk of relapse in malnourished children; a condition that has a 37% relapse rate. The study took place in rural Malawi and was comprised of 2,349 moderately malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years old. Children were evaluated 12 months after treatment; 1,967 rec...
Read more

Harvest of the Month

-
Image
Harvest of the Month  August – Corn Good source of  fiber Carbohydrate source for energy Antioxidants Contains vitamins and minerals ½ cup or 1 ear = 80 calories   http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=90 September – Watermelon High in vitamin A and vitamin C Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support 1 cup cubed = 46 calories http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31 October – Apples High in fiber Vitamin C Abundant amount of antioxidants 1 medium = 95 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15 November – Squash and Pumpkin High in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B2, B3 & B6 Many minerals  High in fiber Multiple antioxidant properties  1 cup = 76 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=63 Decembe...
Read more