Malnutrition

last authored:
last reviewed:

 

 

Introduction

starvation

Nigerian girl with Kwashiorkor, 1960s
courtesy of CDC, PHIL 6901

Malnutrition is a huge global problem, not only in the developing world but also in resource-rich countries. More than a billion people now undernourished (Dawe and Dreschler, 2010).

 

However, this need not be the case. A 2012 report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers suggests that 30-50% of all food produced is never eaten (IME, 2013).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Causes

 

return to top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Physiology

Adaptation to starvation. Infants are more efficient at energy consumption; 30% less.

Penguins, when young, often decline in weight from 11 down to 4 kg; they can be successfully refed.

"A hungry world is a dangerous world."

Josette Sheeran, World Food Program.

return to top

 

 

 

 

Kwashiokor

return to top

 

 

 

Marasmus

return to top

 

 

 

Initial Refeeding

return to top

 

 

 

Ongoing Refeeding

return to top

 

 

 

Feeding Programs

return to top

 

 

 

Resources and References

Dawe and Dreschler, 2010

Institution of Mechanical Engineers. 2013. Global Food: Waste Not, Want Not.

return to top