MALNUTRITION: THE

REAL DANGER
Jaelynn Bell
KHS

Bell, Jaelynn
 Figure 1: America is suffering from an epidemic of malnutrition. But its not what you think. (Waking times, 2015)

People are dying from having unhealthy having an unhealthy diet are all types of

diets, because they are not aware of the malnourishment.

problems that it can cause

Malnutrition is when one is lacking Many believe that malnutrition is

nutrition or maybe even not eating caused by starvation or they believe that

enough. Many are affected by this malnutrition only occurs in poor

worldwide epidemic, children, adults, countries but that is a BIG MYTH. Many

elders, EVERYONE! There are many countries around the world have more

different kinds of malnutrition. Being than 100 million people who are

underweight, overweight, and obese or malnourished.(Gardner, 2000). There is

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many ways one can encounter help of healthy eating, many will be able

malnutrition. Malnutrition is a worldwide to stop eating unhealthy.

issue. Many populations are

diminishing. Medical bills are adding up. Since malnutrition is a worldwide

Food supplies are decreasing and the issue, many are experiencing the ugly,

rate of famine is increasing. Malnutrition bad and worse of the situation. In

is not an epidemic to play with or to take Ethiopia, 16 million people are on the

as a joke. brink of starvation. (Gardner, 2000).

A pro for malnutrition is that

although a person may not be eating

a super healthy diet, they are still

eating. Food is a basic need for all

living things. (Wall, 2011). Although

people may be eating unhealthy food,

they are still eating unlike people who Figure 2: Medical expenses are piling up (Lexington Law, 2014)

do not eat at all. Another pro is that the Millions of people worldwide are

government has increased many unhealthy due to poor soil and

systems to stop the dining out rates. unhealthy eating habits. Populations are

Agricultural systems has developed to diminishing for the wrong reasons.

handle population sizes. (Wall, 2011). Malnutrition and hunger-related

Since agricultural systems increased the diseases are combining to endanger

populations. (Nally, 2011). If the

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problem of malnutrition does not stop have food, it is processed. Processed

then people will die more than they food is not good for the immune system,

should. especially if you eat it every day. Eating

home cooked meals and unprocessed

food can create a much better diet and

Eating fast food every chance you decrease the risk of malnutrition.

get, can possibly send you

down the road to possibly

becoming an unhealthy

wreck. Gardner, who is an

Economist says, Medical

expenses and lost wages

Figure 3: Data on country populations at risk of inadeguate nutrition (Evidence Action, 2017)
caused by obesity cost the

country an estimated $118 billion each

Millions of people around the world
year. Equivalent to 12% of the annual
have weight issues, overweight and
U.S. health budget. Fast food may be
even underweight. Eating unhealthy or
the cause. (Gardner, 2000). Gardner
not eating at all can cause big issues in
clearly states that most health problems
your diet. If you are unhealthy that may
are caused by fast food and what it does
lead to the fact that your body will shut
to people. Many people are not eating
down. In the United States, 55 percent
good healthy diets which leads to
of the population is overweight and 23
malnourishment. Although McDonald's
percent are obese.(Gardner, 2000).
and other fast food restaurants may
Being overweight, obese and

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underweight is an issue, people should people about the causes of malnutrition

stop eating so much fast food and to make sure that people could avoid

include healthy habits in their diets. them. Micronutrient supplement is when

a certain Vitamin is taken out of product.

Deworming is using a certain medical

drug to stop worms in childrens immune

system so they cannot steal the

nutrients they need to survive. Most

importantly informing those who are

Figure 4: This child is taking the deworming pill (Evidence unaware of the causes of malnutrition.
Action, 2017)
This will lead to a better environment
There are many solutions to the
for mankind.
malnutrition epidemic. Micronutrient

Supplements, Deworming, informing

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 References

Ford, P. (2000, 05 Apr). A thousand years of

food. Christian Science Monitor

Retrieved from

http://sks.sirs.com

Gardner, G., & Halweil, B. (2000, Escaping

hunger, escaping excess. World Watch,

24-35. Retrieved from http://sks.sirs.com

Hidden hunger. (2011, Mar). Economist, 69.

Retrieved from http://sks.sirs.com

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