Experts urge malnutrition be cured to prevent health catastrophe
Otherwise governments act on it, malnutrition can harm 50 percent of the globe’s population come 2035, U.N. Agencies and experts agree. This all-pervading setback includes both famine and obesity.
Currently, this food problem has spread throughout a third of the population which costs the world economy roughly $3.5 trillion annually in healthcare and lost productivity, according to the U.N. Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).
Tweaking at the margins won’t suffice and radical transformation of our food systems is needed to nourish – not just feed – 9 billion people, Patrick Webb, professor of nutrition at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University conveyed. He also encouraged governments to allocate more subsidies for growing nutritious crops and supporting further agricultural research. He added spreading awareness among consumers on a healthy diet, and providing incentives in the food industry can help alleviate the problem.
Vocabulary:
all-pervading – having an effect on everything or throughout something
convey – to make something known to someone; communicate
tweaking – to change something slightly in order to improve it
subsidies – money that is paid usually paid by the government to keep the price of a product or service low, or help a business or organization to continue to function
alleviate – to partially remove or correct
True or False:
- Malnutrition can harm 50 percent of the globe’s population in 2025, unless governments do something about it.
- Currently, this food problem has spread throughout a fourth of the population.
- Patrick Webb has encouraged governments to allocate more subsidies for growing crops.
- Tweaking at the margins will suffice and radical transformation of the food systems is needed to nourish – not just feed – 9 billion people.
- Spreading awareness among consumers on a healthy diet, and providing incentives in the food industry can help alleviate the problem.
Defend your argument:
- Nowadays, most people are either skinny or obese.
- Social situations like living alone or socially isolated, having limited knowledge about nutrition or cooking and alcohol or drug dependency also contribute to malnutrition.
- A radical transformation of the food systems is needed to nourish – not just feed – 9 billion people around the world.
- Imagine that you are a politician in your country. Explain the things that you will do to help malnourished children and spread awareness on a healthier diet to prevent malnutrition.
Express your opinion:
- Define malnutrition in five words and explain why.
- As an ordinary citizen yourself, cite some examples on how you can contribute in spreading health awareness in your country.
- Share your thoughts about this quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi