'1 Billion Die Hungry Every Year,' Who's Responsible?

http://www.allafrica.com; http://www.africaonline.com - both of these sites contain information on the perils of Africa including starvation and aids http://www.aah-usa.org – Action against Hunger site for efforts to save millions of people a year from starvation

http://www.thehungersite.com – a site for statistics about world hunger; also, donate here towards the starve out hunger cause

http://www.manteno.k12.il.us/drussert/WebQuests/HallOvandoRobinson/start.html – site that investigates the question, “What can one person do about hunger?

http://www.wfp.org – World Food Programme site

According to the US Census (2009), there are 1.8 deaths per second worldwide, meaning that there are over 100 deaths per minute.

Out of which, every six seconds a child dies of starvation.

Can you believe that? I cant.

With World Food Day celebrated yesterday, on 16th October 2010. It was shocking to read that over 1 billion are starving.

yeah, you read right, 1 billion. Dying. Why? from simply starving.

So, for those of those you, who don't understand the seriousness of this rather common term, 'Starve' which we use quite recklessly in our 'healthy' lives.

Starvation is that feeling of hunger one experiences with a lack of food, the “persistent gnawing condition resulting from a lack of adequate food intake, which prevents one form working of thinking correctly.” Starvation is the most severe case of the condition of hunger.

Starvation and hunger, if not combated, lead certainly to malnutrition. Malnutrition is the condition resulting from a lack of life sustaining vitamins, minerals, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

On October 11, a new global hunger index released by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) showed that one billion people face hunger this year.

The 2010 Global Hunger Index showed there was alarming hunger in 25 out of the 122 countries surveyed.

"The present dramatic situation has come about because instead of tackling the structural causes of food insecurity, the world neglected agriculture in development policies, resulting in an under-investment in this sector, in particular in developing countries," said Kanayo F. Nwanze, the Nigerian vice president of IFAD, a United Nations agency and an international financial institution, whose mandate is to help rural poor people pull themselves out of poverty.

I understand natural disasters. I understand incurable diseases. I understand accidental deaths. I (don't) understand Wars. I understand mental/health issues. I understand natural deaths.

What I don't understand why do people have to die because there's no food available.

I see plenty. Why aren't they getting any?

Before you start pointing out that hunger is most severe in the 'poorest' parts of the world such as Africa, India, Pakistan and Indonesia. I agree, that they do have the largest percentage of hungry people of all the countries in the world.

But even developed countries like United States, have nearly one in four people, 1.3 billion total, live on less than US$1 per day. One out of every eight children under twelve in the US goes to bed hungry every night.

So back to the question, of why these people aren't getting any food?

Is it due to lack of food?

Is it be because the countries don't have any money?

Is it because of lack of technologic advances?

No, NO & No.

I highly doubt its any of these reasons why nations are finding it hard to feed its citizens.

I think I can safely say that they have enough of money to spend on basic necessities like food or technology to make that required amount of food.

Even, Nwanze, the Nigerian vice president of IFAD, a United Nations agency and an international financial institution said, 'that there is too much hunger in the world, even though there are abundant global food supplies, better economic prospects, and lower food prices,' a Press TV correspondent reported on Friday.

For fun, lets review some approximate amounts spent by countries only on SPORT instead of feeding their people.

Africa, spent billions on the World Cup 2010.

India spent billions on the Common wealth Games 2010.

UK will be spending billions on the Olympics 2012.

Is SPORT that important? Now you may say sure, it is. It increases the country's economy, there's more jobs, development in telecommunications, roads.......etc just to look good in the public eye.

So if there's so much money gained, where does it all go?

People are STILL dying from not having food and basic health facilities.

Where do you think nations are going wrong? Are they doing enough?

References:

http://www.starvation.net – by Starvation.net, to-the-minute information on the starvation crisis in many third world countries worldwide, including to-the-second statistics

http://www.napsoc.org – National Association for the Prevention of Starvation home site containing information of how to aid in the cause to eliminate starvation

Quirk, Quirkier and the Quirkiest

Have you ever noticed that it’s often the smallest, most mundane things in life that brighten up our world? Exotic holidays, supercars and a jet-setting lifestyle are all very well (don’t I wish), but the most unexpected and quirky things such as funny names, odd signs, funny menus and those little yet distinct human idiosyncrasies can make a difference to day-to-day living.

Living here in Dubai, amongst a melange of nationalities, the number of quirky things one can find can definitely tickle one’s chuckle button. ‘I spotted a sign-written van recently, obviously delivering its wares from factory to shop’ explained 32 year old Mr. Alan Andrade. ‘The company’s name was Shiny Shiny Utensils which really appealed to my sense of humour. Unfortunately, their warehouse went up in smoke shortly after that, so I imagine their utensils were more sooty than shiny.’ said Mr. Andrade laughing at the mere thought.

Quirkiness surrounds us, we are immersed in it. Most of the time, we fail to see it even when it slaps us in the face. But it exists, seamlessly like behind a curtain yet defining character in our lives. ‘I collect shoes!’ exclaimed Ms. Annie Picardo, 26 years old. ‘I simply love footwear, I own over 75 pairs of shoes and my mom hates me for it. But as much as I try, it can’t be helped the style, design even the smell just mesmerizes me to want more and more.’ She added, lost in notion as she speculated when her next shoe-shopping was.

All of us have quirky habits of some type, be it drumming our fingers, twirling our hair, biting our nails, humming a tune, SMS-ing at every given opportunity or even chewing gum. ‘I sectionalize my food during my meals, making sure nothing mixes while I eat.’ said Kaahini Vyas, a University student. ‘I concentrate on one type of food then tend to the other, that’s why I don’t do well at buffets’ added Ms. Vyas. While 6 year old Aditya Menon eats his share of servings in geometrical shapes. For he eats triangular chappatis, circular cut vegetables and fruits. ‘It’s more fun and easy for me to eat’ said little Aditya who nibbled away his dinner.

Unintentionally funny menus always provide an opportunity for a snigger or two. Businessman, Mr. Mullah shared his quirkiest experience ‘I once had a fit of giggles at “Stuffed Mixed Items”, much to the waiters mystification and still to this day I remember “Meat Pice”, “Dounts” and “Crepes Your Choice Of” from a Cafe proudly claiming, “It’s not only coffee shop”.’

You just can’t help but smile...

The FAT Truth: Young Lives At Risk

The popularity of multimedia and easy access to fast food has caused many UAE youngsters to become alarmingly sedentary, leading to Obesity. Statistics noted by the UAE Government programme to eradicate childhood obesity indicate 12 per cent of children in the country are overweight, with 22 per cent of them at risk of obesity. In light of such worrying information, all efforts are being made to raise awareness of the dangers of obesity and promote healthy eating and exercise, now more than ever.

According to Dr. Mandar Bichu, Paediatrician at Dr. Mandar Medical Clinic, Sharjah, an obese child is one between the ages of two and 18 with an excess of body fat as measured by their body mass index (BMI). Girls with more than 32 per cent body fat are considered obese, as are boys with more than 25 per cent body fat.

Dr. Mandar Bichu, practicing Paediatrician in Sharjah, UAE. Author of Right Parenting and founder of major web portal on parenting and child's health 'www.rightparenting.com'

‘The most common causes to this epidemic rise of adolescent obesity is eating too much and exercising too little.’ says Dr. Mandar V. Bichu, also a recently published author of Right Parenting as well as founder of rightparenting.com, a major web portal on parenting and child’s health established in 2007.

‘Children, unlike adults, need extra nutrients and calories to fuel their growth and development. So if they consume the calories needed for daily activities, growth and metabolism, they add kilograms in proportion to their growth. But children who eat more calories than needed, gain weight beyond what’s required to support their growing bodies.’ added Dr. Bichu, ‘Stress levels among teenagers, is yet another factor that escalates the growing concern of obesity among teenagers. With fierce educational competition among students develops incessant dependence over comfort foods.’ explained Dr. Bichu.

The UAE Government programme indicates at least 26 per cent of residents eat at fast food restaurant once a week. In addition, more than 40 per cent of children spend three hours a day in front of the television or on a computer. Warning parents about risks of excessive weight gain in youngsters, Dr. Bichu elaborated how overall health can be affected. “Child obesity complications can cause high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and cancer in addition to psychological problems,” he said.

Media: a contributing factor to epidemic rise of Obesity

So, the burning question here, is media the sole reason to blame? “Media influence plays a strong mediator to teenager’s dietary habits, sometimes not everything they see is reality. Teenagers are prime targets to advertisements that are continuously screened on Television, which I think is one of the powerful mediums today.” said Dr. Bichu.

Hence, what can be done to avoid unhealthy weight gain and promote a healthy lifestyle? “This issue can be addressed most effectively by modifications in the entire family’s diet and lifestyle habits,” says Dr. Bichu.

He recommends starting the day with a healthy breakfast to ensure your teen has high energy levels throughout the day and prevent binge-eating. For the rest of the day, he suggests eating five servings of fruit and vegetables everyday, including portion in each meal served. Teenagers should be encouraged to enjoy at least an hour of physical activity per day, while limiting ‘screen time’ spent in front of the TV, since that promotes overeating,” says Dr. Bichu.

“Limit consumption of sugar sweetened beverages, which include store-bought fruit juices, flavoured or sweetened water and sodas which are falsely endorsed in media. Encourage drinking water and low fat milk instead.”

Youngsters pick Junk food over healthier options when given a choice

He also comments on how teenagers are manipulated by appealing advertisements that are on television, newspaper and internet. “This not only, affects the pattern of nutrition of one regional and ethnic group, but all of them at one time. So great is the strength of media and because of this excessive exposure, the younger generation pick Junk food over healthy food when given a choice.” he says.

When asked, is obesity the only eating orders than a teenager suffers from? Dr. Bichu says, “I have had few anorexic and bulimic cases which are complete opposites of obesity. Obesity is the most common problem among the teenagers. This is because of the latest trend that the teenagers are following- watching television, playing games and surfing net, no physical exercises, eating lots of dairy products and maintaining eating habits.”

Teenagers are multimedia addicts

“Obesity is not an illness, but a lifestyle disease.” says Dr. Bichu. The average citizen can see that the problem of obesity among teens is real by reading newspapers and walking the streets, but neither the experts nor the general public have the solutions to the problem. Teens spend much of their time in front of their computers or watching television programs. The eating habits of teens have also contributed to the growing obesity among teens. Teenagers eat fast food that is more available than when their parents and grandparents were teenagers. Poor nutrition and the lack of activity seem to be the reason for the problem.

As the reasons for the problem of obesity among teens seem to be clear, and many experts have begun to offer solutions. Teenagers should be offered nutritious lunches at schools. The administrators in schools should carefully watch the menus, and the menus should be changed to provide foods that are not fattening. Parents must also be educated about nutrition and encouraged to feed their teenagers nutritious food at home. “Another factor that influences adolescent obesity is that parents have been taking the wrong steps and asking the wrong questions. Parents usually relate ‘health’ equivalent to ‘weight’ which is wrong!” exclaimed Dr. Bichu, Parents are fixated on the ‘perfect’ weight for their child, which is again influenced by media. Mothers concerned on how much my child is eating is wrong again, it’s what they are eating that is important.” explained Dr. Bichu.

Along with ensuring a healthy diet and exercise, Dr. Bichu feels parents should take care not to make their child feel that they have singled out in the family. “Parents should avoid targeting interventions only to their overweight child, since that may lead to a negative self-image and lack of confidence,” he adds. “Talk to your child about the importance of eating well and active being but make it a family affair that will become second nature for everyone. Focus on health rather than weight, and involve your child in making the healthy food choices.”

Programs should be offered to get teenagers away from their computers and television sets. There should be more sports and social activities that promote movement that teenagers enjoy. Dancing and tennis will both burn up calories much more quickly than watching television so these activities should be more readily available for teenagers.

Photo Credits: Megna Kalvani