Hunger in Africa

" At least 400 million people are malnourished, over 100 million of whom endure outright hunger if not semi-starvation". (Kent and Myers).

http://www.partnership-africa.org/challenge-africa

There is not a specific time or event in my life that led me to take a stance on hunger in the world, in this post specifically Africa. If anything my parent’s awareness of other countries and attitudes about how we are very fortunate to be living in the United States constantly stuck out to me. My mom kept up with other countries and knew what was happening. In this way, both my parents have influenced me to be aware and curious. However, researching for the Analytical Research Paper is what really led me to take a specific stance on the issue of hunger in Africa. 

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines hunger as, “a craving or urgent need for food or a specific nutrient, a weakened condition brought about by prolonged lack of food”.  This definition begins to explain the feeling too many people in Africa feel right now: chronic hunger. I know that sometimes I feel so hungry and exaggerate the extent of my hunger. However, the difference is I know that when I get home or when I am out of class, I will be able to cure that hunger. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to cure their hunger.  

http://dolphyne.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/hunger.jpg

Hunger is damaging and takes a toll on the human body. Imagine your body trying to grow, nourish itself and be active without anywhere near the proper amount of food and nutrients going into it? This would affect your everyday functioning."By 2025 the region [Africa] may not be able to produce food for more than 40 percent of its people". ". Imagine living somewhere with fear that one day more than half of your country will simply have no food? Statistics like this should spark awareness in our hearts.

 

          One specific type of hunger which the video above emphasizes is child hunger and the severity of this issue. It talks about how hunger influences other parts of body functioning such as being to weak to fight off disease or malnutrition. "Simple things save lives" is one of the last items the video discusses with an emphasis on the different ways we can help through donating money to buy items such as food vouchers or being a voice to the government. One of the last points of the video is " Whenever world leaders meet let's put hunger at the top of their to do list". This displays one solution of how we can help with this overwhelming issue.

One cause for hunger is poverty. Amartya Sen says “It is important to realize that people starve when they do not have the means to buy food. Famine can occur when there is plenty of food in the country, if income collapses because of unemployment of a fall in real value of wages. Many famines have occurred without any decline in food output”.  This quote is shocking to realize that peoples hunger is not just due to lack of food. It helps provide understanding that some people are hungry because they do not have the means to buy food.

Agriculture is another cause of hunger. The main source of a family’s food and money is through farming. If a drought occurs or a significant weather change it is affecting the family in great ways.  For example, farmers depend on rain to grow their food, without rain a large portion of their crops could be ruined. Since these crops are their family’s food and income, when a drought happens it can be one step closer to a hunger crisis. 

http://thinkafricapress.com/sites/default/files/styles/400xy/public/agribusiness-g8-farm-africa.jpg

 While these do not cover every cause of hunger one more is population.  After Asia, Africa holds the next largest amount of people at one thousand million. With such a large amount of people, the continent is dealing with a situation where it is hard to provide food for everyone.  The continent is not able to keep up with the demand and it is leaving people hungry.
It is an overwhelming problem that can not be solved overnight. However, there are solutions for how this problem can begin to improve. One way is by improving the transportation system such as roads to better help people travel with their food to buy and sell at markets. Another way is through educating people on how to prepare for droughts and how to best grow their crops.

Sometimes, living in America, surrounded by so much food it is hard for people to imagine a place without food, with starvation. This is why we all need to be aware. This awareness can be displayed in several ways such as donating money or items, being involved in political issues involving hunger or simply just having the knowledge and awareness of other places besides the United States. 

Life is About Making it Count

           As a child I was fortunate enough to have parents that cared about my future health so much to prepare home cooked meals for the majority of my childhood. I never had to experience first hand the struggle that overweight children dealt with; I did however have close friends who lived a life of obesity. When I used to live in Chattanooga, Tennessee I would always hang out with my friends from school: Jonathan (best friend), Damon, Casey, and Josh. We would always play games together and make fun of each other just because we were kids. 

             However, Josh was the kid that was overweight and we were smart enough kids to realize that you can’t make fun of someone who has a physical disability. So whenever a topic about obesity or the fact it would relate to Josh being overweight; we would just omit it from our frame of mind. We would notice the struggle that Josh went through physically and mentally; it made things uncomfortable at times because we never knew how to react. However, that experience with Josh brought all of us to an understanding the importance of childhood obesity.

Photo by Foodcoat

The Issue

           About one in three kids in the U.S. is obese, which carries not only current health problems but a greater risk of issues like diabetes and heart disease later in life. Early intervention is key, particularly as kids are less set in their ways than adults, so it’s easier to change their behaviors and teach them new concepts.

          Yet children don’t have the power over their lives, decisions, and lifestyles that adults have (parents and adults make many decisions for them and have the power to enforce certain behaviors).

          Social institutions have more impact on kids than on adults (like church, television, and especially school — including school lunch programs, mandatory gym classes, possible nutritional education, etc.).

          Given all the factors, what’s the best way to go about reducing childhood obesity?  Who should lead the charge? Have you seen strategies that work, first-hand?

 

This represents the scale of how the body type has changed one the decades.
Photo by Runnerdude

The Research

I conducted a survey of the college students that I live with in my dorm, so that I could compare the nutritional habits they had as kids to what the kids today. What I discovered was that a lot of the habits they had as children were close to the ones that children have now.

The purpose of the survey was to find a correlation between nutritional food habits and the content of kid’s television shows. For example some of the questions were “Did you ever watch Boomerang, PBS kids, or Nicktoons?” “How many days a week did you have home cooked dinner?” and “How often did you bring a packed lunch to school?” All these questions were to be centered around when the subjects were from the ages of 3-7.

The survey was random so in order to not know who filled out which one I had them put their survey under my door when they were completed. However, I did know each person's physique somewhat because I have been around them for so long, hardly any of them were overweight. So then if their habits were similar then why weren’t the subjects overweight?

The answer is the subjects watched programs like Boomerang, PBS kids, and Nicktoons; which have become forgotten in the childhood lifestyle. There were 23 responses to the survey and all 23 said yes to have watched these show before. Even something as small a television could change the outcome of a child. Also a high percentage of them used to watch Sesame Street for about four hours each week.

Another factor that might have changed the outcome of their health was on average 20 of the subjects had at least 6 days a week of a home cooked meal. And 16 subjects brought a packed lunch to school almost everyday. Those are good methods to stay in control of health. Although, one of the factors that was the same for the subjects and children today was that neither paid too much attention to what was healthy and what was not. For the most part the subject did have healthier childhoods

The Solution

          In today’s society it has moved passed the point where a child can just change what he/she watches and that will reduce his/her unhealthy eating habits. But now obesity has become a severe disease and with all diseases there needs to be a treatment. 

          For one, kids don’t like being overweight but that doesn’t always mean they help themselves. For such an illness, children would need therapy to overcome the physical struggle but more importantly the mental behavior that has brought them to becoming overweight. A process in therapy will help children over a long term period; this involves first a healthy education on behavioral habits and nutrition, then change their media exposure to educational shows, next have them train to lose the weight,  and then establish their behavioral modifications.

Sesame Street: Eat Your Colors is one of the sources for educating on nutrition.

          The people who should lead this therapy forward cannot be the children because they don’t have the ability to establish these rules effectively for themselves. The best option would be parents, they give the inspiration to children to perform better and do what their parents tell them to do. 

          Another group of people to help lead the fight in childhood obesity are the faculty staff at schools. They need to be that authority figure for the parent while their kids are away from home. The specific faculties that have the most influence on children at school are the cafeteria staff. The reason is because there is the study called correspondence training and what that is an authoritative person (cafeteria staff) will ask them if they want a nutritious snack and then they will hand it to them when they say yes, because it has them think healthier when they are asked and if they really afford to not have that nutritious snack. The training has been extremely effective when getting children to eat healthy.

          If you have someone who you care about a lot and is struggling with obesity, this therapy can be effective to anyone of any age. Obesity is a serious disease effecting millions people everywhere and it can be avoided by the help and encouragement of loved ones.

Transform Your Life with a Healthy Diet

Pic by Elizabeth Suh

College students notoriously have a problem with maintaining a healthy diet when first becoming independent. Students should try to eat healthy on campus to avoid the dreadful freshman 15 and to maintain a healthy well-being. This will help them keep their self-esteem up and immune system kicking!

My first few weeks of college, I realized how much my eating habits were going to change. Starting college, you feel free and independent. You get to make your own decisions, such as when you go to bed, what you want to eat, and when you want to eat it. There are many different challenges people face, but my hardest transition was learning to manage my diet.      

Pic by Miles Greene

Unfortunately, it is very easy to make bad food choices at college, because you’re constantly on the go and have no guidance on what is healthy. Processed foods are quick and easy, and in dining halls it is very easy to overindulge, with all the different foods. The stress of college also contributes to this. Late night studying or late night socializing usually leads to late night snacks or meals. These are all big factors that contribute to weight gain and unhealthy eating habits.



According to US News, a recent survey of 582 college students conducted by Oregon State University showed that, on average, students are not even eating one serving of produce per day.

When I began college, I was eating a very standard college diet, which consisted of these types of food:
• Ramen Noodles
• Popcorn
• Pizza
• Energy Drinks
• Instant Hot Chocolate
• Chips
• Cereal
• Instant Mac & Cheese
• Pop
• Candy   

I was worried I was going to gain freshman 15 and become unhealthy, so I knew I must change my diet.  

Pic by: Thomas Frank

Why Eat Healthy?

              Eating healthy can can improve many different things like:

•     control weight 
•     immune system
•     energy
•     mood
•     mental performance

Pic by Julia Watson

     Weight- This is one the most common reasons for eating healthy. I'll admit that gaining weight was one of the biggest reasons I decided to adapt to a different diet in college. It is important to fuel your body with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and other healthy foods to lose weight.

      As we may know, being overweight can lead to many different diseases and health problems. According to Web MD, someone 40% over weight is twice as likely to die prematurely than a normal weight person. Weight is linked to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, gallbladder disease, osteoporosis, and breathing problems. 

Pic by American Magnet Indian School

      Maintaining a healthy weight is important to live a healthy life. Also, most of us feel better about ourselves when we're at our ideal weight. Confidence is an important component to being happy.     .

      Immune system- The body can only function properly when all the vitamins and nutrients are present within the body. It's important for college students to eat a variety of foods, so an array of nutrients can be consumed. It is also important to avoid foods with high amounts of sugar or chemical additives. These are usually found within processed foods. These types of ingredients can weaken the body's immune system. 

      When you eat a healthy, nutrient dense diet, your immune system is boosted. My first two months of college, I was sick numerous times. Since I changed my diet to more nutritious foods, I haven't been sick. Getting sick doesn't come from exposure to germs specifically.  When the immune system is down, you become more susceptible to germs and illness and you are at more of a risk.

Energy- Almost every college student I know complains about being tired, or sleeps through classes. This could be due to not receiving the right nutrients in their diet. Shereen Jegvig, certified nutrition specialist, says complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, and proteins provide stable energy throughout the day. I recommend eating small meals throughout the day, instead of eating three large meals because this will keep blood sugar levels stable and gives energy throughout the day.  

Pic by Spiritual Healers

     Mood- Usually, we relate mood to things going on in our lives, but our diet can be a big factor. According to Web MD, mood is controlled by chemicals in the brain like serotonin, which is a feel good chemical, and cortisol, which is a stress chemical. Eating a healthy diet with a variety of nutrients can keep these chemicals in balance and regulate mood swings. Depression is a common symptom of nutrient deficiency.

Mental Performance- Nutrients in food also affect your brain. Andrea Johnson, writer on live strong website, explains the correct nutrients can increase plasticity, slow brain deterioration, improve cognition, and memory. Three important vitamins for the brain are omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin C & E, and B-12.

     What types of food to look for on campus (information from Diana De Cicco)

Pic by Jamie Kaufman

•         Healthy breakfast options 

1.      Whole-wheat waffles
2.      Low-sugar cereals
3.      Whole-wheat bagels
4.      English Muffins with low fat cottage cheese
5.      Instant oatmeal with skim milk

•         Heathy snack options

1.      Low fat yogurt
2.      String cheese
3.      Fruit
4.      Vegetables
5.      Granola bars

•         Healthy Lunch options

1.      Peanut butter & Jelly 
2.      Turkey on whole wheat bread
3.      Tuna on a wheat wrap (not tuna salad)
4.      Grilled cheese and tomato



Pic by kitchens ink receipes

5.      Grilled vegetable sandwich

•      Healthy Dinner options

1.     Tacos and fajitas without sour cream & cheese 
2.      Veggie or turkey burgers on a wheat bun
3.      Cheese or vegetable pizza
4.      Omelets filled with vegetables or scrabble eggs
5.      Low fat soups (Not creamy)
6.      Grilled or boiled fish with steamed vegetables
7.      Grilled or boiled skinless chicken with steam vegetables

Pic by catalyst health

•      Healthy Desserts options

1.      Fruit
2.      Sorbet
3.      Applesauce
4.      Frozen Yogurt
5.      Popsicles

         What types of foods to avoid in college

      Processed foods- Many students in college look to processed foods because they are very convenient. However, processed foods can cause many diseases and not the proper nutrients the body needs. Processing removes a lot of the vitamins, fiber, and nutrients in the food. Processing also adds in unhealthy fats, sugar, and synthetic vitamins. The video below gives more reasons why processed foods are unhealthy.

by: CBN online

"You are what you eat."

I believe this statement is very true! The best thing you can do for your body and yourself is establish good eating habits. The next time you feel depressed or ill take a look at what your eating.