Jun 15, 2009
A Lack of Good Food
by Jerry Jaker
MIPH is working more with the issues of proper nutrition, along with issues of hunger and of starvation.
When our stomachs growl, we often say we are “starving” or are “so hungry I could eat a horse!” Of course, we’re not starving.
Hunger, according to the World Food Programme (WFP), is simply a matter of lack of food in our stomach, usually easily fixable for many of us who are more fortunate.
Under-nourished, again according to (WFP), is a state of people whose food intake does not include enough calories to meet minimum physical needs for an active healthy life.
Malnutrition is characterized by inadequate intake or protein, energy, and other nutrients such that frequent infections and diseases such as diarrhea occur. A discussion about the conditions of malnutrition gets complicated quickly.
Starvation, says Merriam-Webster dictionary, is a state of extreme hunger and deprived nutrition, often more than a month, causing organ damage and eventually, death. Starvation is, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the greatest single threat to public health in the world. WHO also points out that over one third of all child mortality in our world is attributable to malnutrition. A good friend and colleague of mine and of MIPH’s Mark Crea, Executive Director of the nonprofit Feed My Starving Children, is a leader in trying to make a difference. He coordinates resource raising and volunteer work such that more than 310,000 volunteers last year packaged over 73 million meals and distributed them to starving children throughout the world.
There are so many efforts underway to address proper nutrition, wise food choices, and related behaviors to promote healthy living. MIPH has been proud to be part of that, and aspires to do more. But the world of extreme hunger and starvation is a public health issue that, like many public health issues, needs to involve all parts of our communities.
The United Nations published a Food and Agriculture Report that is informative. The World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Institute for Food and Development Policy are also helpful resources.
What are the best ideas you’ve heard or acted upon, that help with hunger, better nutrition, and/or to address starvation?
On a related note, we are pleased to announce MIPH was last week awarded the social marketing campaign grant to develop and implement an outreach program targeting low-income seniors in the nine county metro area, about accessing the Food Support Program for more nutritious food. Stay tuned as this campaign evolves.
- JJ
When our stomachs growl, we often say we are “starving” or are “so hungry I could eat a horse!” Of course, we’re not starving.
Hunger, according to the World Food Programme (WFP), is simply a matter of lack of food in our stomach, usually easily fixable for many of us who are more fortunate.
Under-nourished, again according to (WFP), is a state of people whose food intake does not include enough calories to meet minimum physical needs for an active healthy life.
Malnutrition is characterized by inadequate intake or protein, energy, and other nutrients such that frequent infections and diseases such as diarrhea occur. A discussion about the conditions of malnutrition gets complicated quickly.
Starvation, says Merriam-Webster dictionary, is a state of extreme hunger and deprived nutrition, often more than a month, causing organ damage and eventually, death. Starvation is, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), the greatest single threat to public health in the world. WHO also points out that over one third of all child mortality in our world is attributable to malnutrition. A good friend and colleague of mine and of MIPH’s Mark Crea, Executive Director of the nonprofit Feed My Starving Children, is a leader in trying to make a difference. He coordinates resource raising and volunteer work such that more than 310,000 volunteers last year packaged over 73 million meals and distributed them to starving children throughout the world.
There are so many efforts underway to address proper nutrition, wise food choices, and related behaviors to promote healthy living. MIPH has been proud to be part of that, and aspires to do more. But the world of extreme hunger and starvation is a public health issue that, like many public health issues, needs to involve all parts of our communities.
The United Nations published a Food and Agriculture Report that is informative. The World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Institute for Food and Development Policy are also helpful resources.
What are the best ideas you’ve heard or acted upon, that help with hunger, better nutrition, and/or to address starvation?
On a related note, we are pleased to announce MIPH was last week awarded the social marketing campaign grant to develop and implement an outreach program targeting low-income seniors in the nine county metro area, about accessing the Food Support Program for more nutritious food. Stay tuned as this campaign evolves.
- JJ
Posted on June 15, 2009 - 7:30am by Jerry Jaker
Wheat famine 'time bomb' - Pioneer Press June 20, 2009
Post new comment