© T. M. Whitmore

Today• Especially vulnerable populations

Children

• 4 faces of hungerStarvation/FamineMalnutrition/UndernutritionMicro-nutrient deficienciesNutrition-depleting illnesses

• Time trajectories of hunger

• Geographies of hunger

© T. M. Whitmore

Especially vulnerable populations I

• Increased likelihood of malnutrition and more serious consequences

• Women in general due to cultural traditions that privilege food to males

• Pregnant womenPoor nutrition low birth weight babies

Developmental problems for baby physically and mentally

Reduced resistance to diseases Less able to breast feed ( less

resistance for the baby as well)

© T. M. Whitmore

Especially vulnerable populations II

• Lactating womenPoor nutrition seldom greatly interferes

with ability to produce milkBut, poor nutrition does deplete the

mother's body of necessary nutrientsIf nutrition is not better between end of

lactation and next pregnancy spiral down to chronic anemia etc.

• ElderlyAbility to fend off infections is reduced

with great age and malnutrition hurts that as well

© T. M. Whitmore

Especially vulnerable populations III

• ChildrenMalnutrition in infants and children very

problematic if timing coincides with critical growth processes Up to age 5 risk is greatest

Especially at weaning age (approx 2 yrs)Due to impure water used to make

weaning foods (not sufficiently boiled due to lack of fuel) and general low hygiene => Kids die from diarrheal diseases and

dehydration and malnutritionWeaning foods are typically

not nutrient-rich enough (e.g., maize gruels)

© T. M. Whitmore

Four Faces of Hunger I• I. Starvation/Famine

Widespread to complete lack of protein/calorie nutrition

A small percentage of global hunger – perhaps 1% at risk annually

Leads to increased mortality (usually to infectious diseases not starvation per se)

Great social disruption => increased problems with diseases and access to food

In any famine not all starve – the well off can buy food -- thus NOT usually only a simple shortage

© T. M. Whitmore

Four Faces of Hunger II• II. Malnutrition/Undernutrition

Seasonal or periodic P/C under-nutritionMost serious effects on kids and special

needs adults (pregnant and lactating women, the elderly)

measures of malnutrition in children Stunting - stature too short for age/sex

(adjusted for local norms) => chronic Wasting – weight too light for age/sex

(adjusted for local norms) => acute

© T. M. Whitmore

Four Faces of Hunger III• III. Micro-nutrient deficiencies

Vitamin and mineral shortagesSometimes called “hidden hunger”

• IV. Nutrition-depleting illnesses Secondary malnutritionMost common nutrient depleting

diseases are infant/weanling diarrheas – 5 million deaths annually world wide

© T. M. Whitmore

Global Hunger• Global situation late 1990s

• Data drawn from FAO’s SOFA report 2007

• http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/a1200e/a1200e00.htm

• The International Food Policy Research Institute:

• http://www.ifpri.org/media/20071012GHI.asp

• The concept of “food security”

© T. M. Whitmore

Global Trajectories of Hunger I• Proportions undernourished (or food

insecure)Late 1970s ~ 28%Late 1990s ~17%Thus, some real progress Millennium Development Goals and not

met

• Micro-nutrient deficienciesIron: 40% of global southIodine: 12% of global southVitamin A: 14% of kids in global south

© T. M. Whitmore

Global Trajectories of Hunger II• Absolute numbers undernourished (or food

insecure)1970s ~ 900m; 2000 ~ > 800 m => decrease of ~ 100m in absolute

numbers (but smaller %)

• Children 1993 ~ 200 m; now ~ 175 m

• World food summit target (MDG) in 2015 => 400mCurrent trajectory => 475-500m by 2015Progress in some places, regression in

others

© T. M. Whitmore

Regional differences malnourished or food insecure

• Global South (i.e., the global poor)Sub-Saharan AfricaE. Asia, SE Asia, & PacificSouth AsiaLatin America & CaribbeanNear East & N. Africa

• Developed Economies (mostly N America)

Source: FAO

Source: FAO

Number of malnourished children, 1993, 2010, and 2020Source: IFPRI IMPACT simulations.

Source: FAO SOFA 2007

Source: IFPRI Global Hunger Index 2007

Source: FAO SOFA 2007

Countries with food shortfalls – requiring assistance