CH 9 PBH

CHAPTER 9: Nutrition and Global Health

Learning Objectives

• Define key terms related to nutrition

• Describe the determinants of nutritional status

• Discuss nutrition needs at different stages of the life course

• Discuss the burden of nutrition problems globally

• Review the costs and consequences of those burdens

• Discuss measures that can be taken to address key nutrition concerns

Section 1: Vignettes of Nutrition Problems

• Vignette of Shireen: A 1-year-old girl from Dhaka, Bangladesh with low birthweight; suffered repeated illnesses and died from pneumonia.

• Vignette of Ruth: A pregnant woman in Liberia suffering from anemia; her lack of iron and folic acid led to her death during childbirth.

• Vignette of Dorji: A 15-year-old boy from northern India experiencing cognitive delays due to insufficient iodine in the soil; faced health risks from lack of iodine fortification.

• Vignette of Rachel: Participates in polio vaccination days in Kenya that include vitamin A; highlights successful public health interventions.

• Vignette of Fai Ho: A 7-year-old boy from China; family economically thriving but shifting towards unhealthy Western diets leading to obesity.

Section 2: The Importance of Nutrition

• Nutrition is closely linked with overall health status.

• Good maternal nutrition is critical for positive pregnancy outcomes.

• Breastfeeding Benefits: Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months supports infant health and cognitive development.

• Nutritional deficits in early ages can result in lifelong growth and developmental challenges.

• Nutrition-Related Child Mortality: Approximately 45% of child deaths under 5 are due to nutritional deficits.

• Underweight and micronutrient deficiencies increase susceptibility to illness.

• Rapid weight gain in underweight children can lead to obesity and chronic diseases later in life.

Section 3: Global Burden of Malnutrition

• Progress made, but undernutrition remains high, especially in lower-income regions.

• Statistical Overview:

  • 14% of children under 5 were underweight globally in 2016 (mainly in low- and middle-income countries).

  • 22% of children experience stunting (with higher rates in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa).

• There are cost-effective interventions needed to improve nutrition via communication, breastfeeding promotion, and fortification strategies.

Section 4: Definitions and Key Terms

• Anemia: Low hemoglobin; leads to reduced red blood cells.

• Malnutrition: Poor nutrition encompassing underweight, overweight, and deficiencies.

• Stunting: Failure to reach growth potential from inadequate nutrition.

• Undernutrition: Insufficient food intake, leading to poor health outcomes.

Section 5: Determinants of Nutritional Status

Immediate Causes

• Inadequate Dietary Intake: Leads to malnutrition and illness.

• Illness: Increases nutritional needs and reduces intake.

Underlying Causes

• Inadequate access to food, lack of health services, and poor sanitation.

Basic Causes

• Socioeconomic factors influencing food accessibility and nutritional education.

Section 6: Nutritional Needs Throughout the Life Course

• Nutritional requirements vary significantly among life stages.

Pregnancy & Birthweight

• Proper maternal nutrition is vital for fetal development; low birthweight correlates with health challenges for infants.

Infancy & Young Childhood

• Critical growth occurs within the first 2 years; breastfeeding is essential.

Adolescence

• Nutritional needs increase due to growth spurts; micronutrients critically affect development.

Adulthood & Old Age

• Nutrition is essential for maintaining health, preventing diseases, and ensuring functional capacity.

Section 7: Nutrition and Global Economic Development

• Well-nourished populations can contribute more effectively to economic development.

• Malnutrition affects productivity and health costs, exacerbating poverty.

Section 8: Strategies for Future Nutrition Challenges

• Nutrition-Specific: Directly improve nutrition through supplementation, promotion of breastfeeding, etc.

• Nutrition-Sensitive: Address the underlying determinants through health and agricultural interventions.

• Enabling Environment: Create supportive laws and policies for nutritional improvements.

Section 9: Conclusion and Recommendations

• Focus on vulnerable populations: women, children, and marginalized communities.

• Support community-based interventions and education to enhance nutritional practices.

• Improve monitoring and assessment frameworks for nutritional status across populations.