Child Development and Public Health

     After reviewing the public health topics, I chose to write about nutrition/malnutrition.  I wanted this topic because as a young child I can remember watching a commercial about small children from Africa were malnutrition, and underweight were prevalent in the country. In the commercial, they were asking for donations to help feed these hunger/starving children. In the video, you could skeleton structure of these kids, and their little stomachs are poking out. Twenty years later there are still commercials about helping to feed the children in Africa. There are 17.6 million children in sub-Saharan Africa who suffer from acute malnutrition (SOS Children’s Village, 2017).

     According to the medical dictionary malnutrition is a condition that develops when the body does not get the right amount of the vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients it needs to maintain healthy tissues and organs function (Action Against Hunger, 2018). In the continent of Africa, the widespread of malnutrition can be attributed to the lack of food markets in certain areas, people not have the money to purchase food, or not available transportation to get to market.  As a result, some people are forced to live off the land or go without food. The effects of malnutrition significantly affect the children of this country. The children suffer from stunting and wasting. Stunting is the slowing down or the stopping of developmental growth in a child. Wasting means that a child is not developed for their age and weight in comparison to other children their same age and weight. These children are subject to an array of infections and diseases because their bodies are weakened. Statistics show that 1 in 12 children in sub-Saharan Africa dies before his or her fifth birthday (SOS Children’s Village, 2017).

     This week I learned a lot about the poverty and malnutrition that has plagued the country of Africa. I knew it was an issue but nothing like I discovery by doing this research. I’m am not sure yet of how what I have learned will affect my future work. I did discover I could sponsor a child or village in Africa to help provide food to a child or village. I think that is something I will do in the near future.  

References:

Action Against Hunger. (2018). Underlying Causes of Malnutrition. Retrieved from https://actionagainsthunger.ca/what-is-acute-malnutrition/underlying-causes-of-malnutrition/

SOS Children's Village. (2017, April). Children's Statistics Africa & Asia. Retrieved from https://www.sos-usa.org/our-impact/childrens-statistics/africa