HW220 Unit 3Jennifer Koslo, MS, RD, CSSD

Schlenker & Long (2007) pg 11-12, 245

Unit 3: Food Choices and EconomicsWelcome to seminar!Please read my welcome announcementThere are readings from all 3 texts this

weekThere are lesson summaries available

for you to printSeminar is focused on the ecology of

malnutrition and information contained in William’s chapter 10

What is meant by the term “ecology of malnutrition”?What is the link between the food environment and

malnutrition?Why is malnutrition a public health concern worldwide?

The focus of seminar is on 3 questions:

Poor nutrition because of an insufficient or poorly balanced diet or faulty digestion or utilization of foods.Can refer to both over nutrition and under nutrition

The American Heritage Dictionary (2003)

Individuals and Families with incomes below poverty level.

Single mother plus child: $14,000; family of 4: $21,200 (USDHHS, 2008)

Estimated at 10% of all US households

Schlenker (2007) pg 11-12, 245

Single parent families

Families without health insurance

Household head without high school diploma

Other populations?

InfantsChildrenPregnant

womenHomelessOlder adults

Skin -rough/irritated bruises, swollen

No energy, fatigued

Falls asleep in school

Gums- redness/receding

Teeth - missing/cavities

Abdomen - swollen

Hair- dry/dull/stringy

Lips- dry/lesions

Tongue -red/swollen

Muscles- poor tone

Irritable, attention problems

Over/underweight

The relationship of people and their social and physical environment will influence their nutrition and health.

People who live in inferior housing, limited education, low-pay work, and low self esteem more often affected by health issues and malnutrition.

Costs of malnutrition create a burden on society.

Schlenker (2007) pg 245

Schlenker (2007) pg 246

A limited ability to secure foods in adequate amounts that meets the nutritional and health needs of an individual.

Most affected are children in low-income households

% Below Poverty Level10% White 24% African

American 22%

Hispanic

Schlenker (2007) pg 246

Ask the following 4 questions:Did you ever run out of food and have no

money?Ever skip a meal because you ran out of

food or had no money?Ever hungry but didn’t eat due to not

enough food or money?Ever cut your kid’s meal size due to not

enough food or money?

Schlenker (2007) pg 247

Children experience feelings of anxiety,sadness, and worry about their family’s situation. They tend to have lower reading scores and trouble with social skills.

When food is available:These children tend to eat more food and eatfast when food is available.

What are some typical low-cost foods that may comprise a food insecure families diet?

Schlenker (2007) pg 246

In the USA, we have overabundant supplies of low cost food.

The real issue lies in how the distribution of food based on a person’s available income.

Schlenker (2007) pg 246

Federal food assistance programs are available to support adequate nutritional needs of low income, children, elderly, and pregnant single moms at risk.

What are some of these programs, and how do they work?

Schlenker (2007) pg 248

The fast food industry provides low-cost foods that tend to be high fat & calorie laden. Most often these foods are lacking in key micronutrients as well as sources of quality protein needed for maintaining cell growth and function.

If one tends to incorporate high calorie/fat laden foods over the course of a child’s developmental years from (age 3-15), the impact on health can be harmful.

In the USA we have seen a rise in obesity & Type II Diabetes in children under Age 15.

Food companies market “junk foods” at schools, with advertisements reaching in the billions of dollars. Targeting children directly without educating them on selecting nutrient rich healthy foods reinforces children’s poor dietary habits.

Nestle (2007) pg 260-261

Should schools allow high calorie/ high fat “junk foods” to be sold in school lunches?

Should school lunch programs be consistent with Dietary Guidelines?

Should teachers be taught nutrition?

Nestle (2007) pg 267

Children and adults who experience extensive malnutrition can have significant impact on cognitive performance. This effect can lead to low scores in school, lower earnings and chronic health problems.

Schlenker (2007) pg 247

Feeling of hopelessness and isolation can overcome low income families.

Trying to secure food sources when aid runs out leads to feelings of insecurity and loss of power to provide for one’s family.

Schlenker (2007) pg 247

Unlike the USA, many countries have an unequal distribution of food.

Estimates of 1/5 of world’s population is chronically undernourished.

As of 2008 (2004 statistics) the World Bank has estimated that there were an estimated 982 million poor people in developing countries who live on $1 a day or less

Schlenker (2007) pg 246

Most child deaths outside USA are associated with malnutrition.

About 1/3 of children under age 5 who survive has stunted growth.

Schlenker (2007) pg 246

Most common deficiencies are Iodine and Vitamin A.

Ironically approx. 80% of malnourished kids live in countries that report food surpluses!

Schlenker (2007) pg 246

Summary and Q & AMalnutrition affects billions of people worldwideIn the US about 12.5% of the population lives at

or below poverty levelPoor diet affects cognitive and physical

developmentFood assistance programs provide some reliefAlmost 1/5 of the world’s popl’n or 1.1 billion

people live on less than $1/dayWorld hunger complex issue: war, natural

disasters, lack of education, unsafe water, lack of jobs

Vitamin A deficiency leading cause of blindnessThere is enough land to feed the world’s hungry

but solving world hunger is not an easy task