Chapter 14 Hunger at Home and Abroad PowerPoint Lecture Slide Presentation created by Karen Schuster Florida Community College of Jacksonville Copyright 2008 Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Benjamin Cummings
What Is Hunger and Why Does It Exist? Hunger (the physical need for food) means different things to different people. Food insecurity: chronic inability to secure adequate amounts of nutritious food to meet needs In 2004, 12% of households (13.5 million households) were food insecure in U.S., and about 4.4 million classified as hungry. Current global food production exceeds the needs of the population.
Spectrum of Hunger, Malnutrition and Food Insecurity Currently 3% of world s population is classified as famished. Figure 15.1
Developed, Developing, and Underdeveloped Countries Around the World pg 520 Figure 15.2
Countries More people live in developing and underdeveloped countries than in developed countries. Developed country = a nation advanced in industrial capability, technological sophistication and economic productivity. Developing = a low level of the above listed things Underdeveloped = a low level of the above things but the rates of food insecurity and very low food insecurity are higher.
What Causes Hunger in the US? Domestic hunger often caused by poverty (economic hardship), illness or lack of opportunity Poverty: 12% of U.S. population at or below poverty level ($20,000 for a family of four) Working poor: 7.4 million in 2003 Work full-time at least 27 weeks of year but still below poverty level Obesity among food insecure is common: Less nutritious foods can be less expensive, higher in calories
What Causes Hunger in the US? Disease, disability, or illness: Chronically ill or disabled less likely to earn steady income and at risk for poor diet Increased risk for further illnesses Drug and alcohol abuse also common causes of poverty, hunger, and homelessness Mental illness another common cause of poverty, malnutrition, hunger, homelessness Often difficult to reach, counsel, or help
Hunger Natural disasters have greater impact on underdeveloped than developed countries Drought and lack of water a major cause of famine Floods and excessive rains also a major cause Insects destroy about 33% of world food supply each year
What Causes Hunger? Population overgrowth Most of world population growth occurs in developing and underdeveloped countries The smallest number of people in the world live in developed countries The human population is growing by more than 80 million people per year.
What Are the Effects of Hunger? Range from relatively mild and reversible to dire and irreversible, can lead to starvation and death Initially body attempts to conserve energy and preserve body tissues Eventually body breaks down own tissue as a source of energy: body fat, muscle, and internal organs Most deterioration occurs in liver and intestinal tract, moderate loss in heart and kidneys, least damage in brain and nervous system
HIV/AIDS Over 40 million people in the world have HIV/AIDS.
What Are the Effects of Hunger? Permanently lowered intelligence and learning ability can result from malnutrition at crucial period of brain development Underweight and malnourished children complete fewer years of school. Iron deficiency associated with reduced attention span and decreased memory capacity 33% of children <5 years in developing counties are stunted (decreased height for age) and 27% of these are wasted (decreased weight for age) due to malnutrition
What Are the Effects of Hunger? Impaired immunity and disease: 60% of all childhood deaths in developing countries associated with chronic hunger and malnutrition Contaminated water also cause of diarrhea Hidden Hunger : deficiencies of iron, iodine, vitamin A affect more than 1/3 of world s population Increased rates of infant and child mortality >12 million children under age five die in developing countries every year from preventable causes Malnutrition linked to half of deaths
Common Illnesses in Malnourished Children Table 15.2
Most Common Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies Among the Malnourished (Hidden Hunger) * * * Table 15.3
How Can We Eradicate Hunger? At local level, individuals, churches, community relief agencies assist those with insufficient resources Governments and organizations provide food aid and economic opportunities. Biotechnology, better land management, and proper sanitation New biotechnologies enhance agricultural productivity and improve human nutrition Proper land management and appropriate crop selection can increase agricultural production.
Eliminating Hunger Raising edible nutritious plants such as highprotein beans, veggies, grains, seeds, nuts or fruit instead of planting export crops like tea and coffee, would help eliminate hunger.
Food Assistance Programs in the United States USDA spent $41.5 billion on food assistance programs in 2003 Food Stamp Program helps >26 million people can be used to buy fruit, veggies, cereals, meats and dairy products. Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) National School Lunch Program: >16 million children receive free or reduced-price lunches Summer Food Service Program Child and Adult Care Food Program Congregate meals for elderly (age 60 or over)
How Can We Eradicate Hunger? Land ownership/access improves food security. Safe water is equally important in reducing hunger: 40% of world s population lack basic sanitation facilities If the temperature of water exceeds 50 degrees C, it becomes safe to drink. The heat from solar radiation effectively destroys bacteria like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. >1 billion drink unsafe water 88% of all diarrheal illnesses due to inadequate water or sanitation Sustained economic development depends on reliable, sanitary water supply
How Can We Eradicate Hunger? Fortification of foods can help alleviate micronutrient deficiencies. Fortified foods should be a staple, affordable, and shelf-stable: salt, flour, oil, sugar, soy sauce
Hunger Among Us (And How You Can Help!) Food pantries or emergency kitchens supplement various food assistance programs. America s Second Harvest: largest hunger-relief organization in U.S. >200 food banks that collect surplus food from national food companies and other large donors Volunteers transport donated foods to local food pantries. You can help by: giving food, funds, or your time See opportunities at: www.secondharvest.org