Malnutrition

Most frequently, malnutrition speaks to an inadequate diet. Two major types of malnutrition are protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient malnutrition. Malnutrition is especially prevalent in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. In the developing world, one in three children under the age of five is malnourished. While young children are particularly [Page 1087]susceptible, pregnant women are also at higher risk for the implications of malnourishment. Other than the forms of protein-energy malnourishment, the primary manifestations in developing nations include iron, iodine, vitamin A, and zinc deficiencies. Malnourishment is estimated to be directly responsible for 300,000 deaths annually and indirectly responsible for about half of all deaths among young children.

Protein-energy deficient malnutrition is of particular concern as it can lead to starvation. In 2000–02 it was estimated that worldwide 852 million people were undernourished, the majority of whom (95 percent) were in developing countries. In some parts of the developing world outside aid and efforts to encourage breast feeding have helped to decrease malnourishment; however, the numbers of undernourished worldwide remain relatively stable.

Protein-energy malnutrition often manifests at an early age, between six months and two years of age, and can affect a child's development. With an insufficient supply of protein, chronic infections such as diarrhea may occur and lead to further malnourishment. The problems of malnourishment and infection-induced diarrhea can result in a persistent cyclic pattern that can lead to further medical problems, and potentially to starvation and death.

Micronutrient malnutrition affects at least two billion people worldwide. Today, approximately 740 million people experience iodine deficiencies. Much of this occurs in underdeveloped nations where seafood or iodine-fortified salt is less available. Iodine-fortified salt has been the primary reason that much of the developed world no longer faces iodine deficiencies. About two billion people worldwide are zinc deficient, one billion experience iron deficiency—which is highly correlated with anemia—and approximately 250 million, primarily children and pregnant women in developing nations, are vitamin A deficient.

The underlying cause of malnourishment is poverty, but several factors play a role in the experience and likelihood of malnourishment. One factor found to be elemental in malnourishment in the developing world is the role of women. In many societies women play an active role in food collection, preparation, and administration, which is especially important in the care of young children. The higher women's educational attainment levels and status are relative to men, the less likely malnourishment will be found among children.

National food security, or the availability of an adequate food supply, is also a primary factor in the existence of undernourishment in a society. In countries with low levels of food security, such as the nations of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, improving the food supply is found to be as important as improving women's education and roles when seeking to alleviate malnourishment. In societies with relatively high levels of food security, however, such as many countries in East Asia, the Near East, North Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the availability of food is less impactful than improving the role of women. Environmental factors, such as water sanitization, pollution, and agricultural capability, are also prime factors in the likelihood of malnourishment. The availability of potable water is especially important as water that is not sanitized can harbor pathogens that can lead to infection and illness, thus bolstering the impact of malnourishment.

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