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The Wider Issues of Hunger and Malnutrition

In: What Price Food?

Author

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  • Paul Streeten

Abstract

The discussion so far has been mainly concerned with ways of increasing the supply of food and of opportunities for the poor to earn incomes that can buy the food. But the removal of hunger and malnutrition is more complex. It calls for a food strategy. The poor in the developing countries spend about 70 per cent of their total income on food and more than 50 per cent of additional income. Lack of adequate food not only makes people hungry and less able to enjoy life, it also reduces their ability and (by causing apathy) their willingness to work. It also makes them more susceptible to disease by reducing their immunity to infection and other environmental stresses. Prolonged malnutrition among babies and children leads to reduced adult stature; severe malnutrition is associated with decreased brain size and cell number, as well as altered brain chemistry. Malnutrition during pregnancy results in low birth weight, which is a particularly important cause of infant mortality. Children who suffer from severe malnutrition show lags on motor activity, hearing, speech, social and personal behaviour, problem-solving ability, eye-hand coordination and categorization behaviour, even after rehabilitation.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Streeten, 1987. "The Wider Issues of Hunger and Malnutrition," Palgrave Macmillan Books, in: What Price Food?, chapter 20, pages 96-99, Palgrave Macmillan.
    • Handle: RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-349-18921-2_20
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-349-18921-2_20
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