Nutrition in Developing Countries & Immigrant Health Considerations in Australia Flashcards
What are the three major forms of undernutrition, and how do they impact health?
Underweight: Low weight for age, increases vulnerability to infections & delayed growth.
Stunting: Chronic malnutrition → impaired physical & cognitive development.
Wasting: Severe malnutrition → rapid weight loss, muscle wasting, high risk of mortality.
A 3-year-old child in a developing country has a height significantly below the expected standard for their age. What type of malnutrition might they have, and what are the long-term effects?
Stunting (chronic malnutrition).
Long-term effects: Poor cognitive development, weakened immunity, increased risk of chronic diseases later in life.
What is overnutrition, and what health problems can it cause?
Overnutrition: Excess calorie intake, often from energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods.
Health risks: T2DM, CVD, hypertension, some cancers, non-communicable diseases.
Overnutrition in developing countries is often linked to diets that are ___________ and ___________.
Energy-dense and nutrient-poor.
What are the key factors contributing to malnutrition in developing countries?
Poverty: Limits access to nutritious food.
Inadequate diet: Lacks protein, vitamins & minerals.
Poor water & sanitation: Increases infection risk, worsens malnutrition.
Limited healthcare: Hinders maternal & child care.
Lack of education: Reduces awareness of proper nutrition.
Food insecurity: Conflict, climate change, economic instability affect food supply.
A mother in a developing country has limited access to clean water, and her child frequently suffers from diarrhoea. How does this impact nutrition?
Increases risk of dehydration & nutrient loss.
Worsens malnutrition by reducing nutrient absorption.
Higher susceptibility to infections.
What are key interventions to combat malnutrition in developing countries?
Nutrition education: Teaching communities about healthy diets.
Nutrient supplementation: Providing essential vitamins & minerals (e.g., iron, iodine, vitamin A).
Breastfeeding promotion: Encouraging exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months.
Agricultural interventions: Supporting smallholder farmers to improve food production.
Social safety nets: Food assistance & cash transfers for vulnerable groups.
WASH initiatives: Improving water, sanitation & hygiene.
Strengthening healthcare: Expanding access to maternal & child health services.
A government in a developing country wants to improve child nutrition. What strategies could they implement?
Introduce school feeding programs.
Promote exclusive breastfeeding & maternal nutrition.
Provide micronutrient supplements (iron, iodine, vitamin A).
Improve access to clean water & sanitation.
Support local farmers to increase food diversity.
A lack of __________ and __________ in childhood can lead to stunting.
Protein and essential vitamins & minerals.
How does climate change impact malnutrition in developing countries?
Extreme weather events disrupt food production.
Droughts & floods reduce crop yields.
Rising food prices make nutritious food unaffordable.
Increased spread of diseases (e.g., waterborne illnesses) worsens malnutrition.
What are key health risks faced by immigrant populations in Australia?
Food insecurity: Limited access to culturally appropriate, nutritious foods.
Dietary changes: Transition to processed, energy-dense foods → increased risk of obesity, T2DM, CVD.
Language & health literacy barriers: Reduced access to health services & nutritional education.
Mental health concerns: Increased risk of stress, anxiety & depression due to acculturation, discrimination, isolation.
Communicable diseases: Higher prevalence of TB, Hepatitis B, parasitic infections in some immigrant groups.
Vitamin D deficiency: Common in darker-skinned individuals due to low sun exposure, especially among Muslim women wearing modest clothing.
Which key nutrient deficiencies are common in immigrant populations in Australia?
Iron deficiency: Risk in women of childbearing age & refugees with poor dietary intake.
Vitamin D deficiency: Common in African, Middle Eastern, South Asian immigrants due to low sun exposure & cultural dress.
Vitamin B12 deficiency: Risk in vegans, vegetarians, elderly with limited animal product intake.
Calcium deficiency: Common in women & elderly from low dairy intake regions (East Asia, Africa, Middle East).
Folate deficiency: High risk in pregnant women from refugee backgrounds → neural tube defects risk.
Iodine deficiency: Risk in pregnant/lactating women with low seafood & dairy intake.
Vitamin D deficiency is particularly common in immigrant groups from __________, __________, and __________ due to low sun exposure and cultural dress practices.
Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia.
A newly arrived refugee family struggles to access affordable, nutritious foods due to financial constraints and limited knowledge of local food options. What health risks are they likely to face?
Food insecurity → malnutrition, underweight or over-reliance on cheap, processed foods.
Higher risk of iron & folate deficiency due to limited intake of nutrient-dense foods.
Increased likelihood of T2DM & obesity from consuming energy-dense, low-nutrient foods.
Mental health concerns due to financial stress & difficulty adapting.
A 25-year-old immigrant woman from Afghanistan, who wears modest clothing and rarely goes outside, is experiencing fatigue and bone pain. What nutrient deficiency is she at risk for, and what dietary advice should be given?
Risk for vitamin D deficiency.
Advice: Increase safe sun exposure, consume fortified dairy products, eggs, oily fish, and consider supplementation.
Why are immigrant women of childbearing age at high risk of iron deficiency?
Low intake of iron-rich foods (meat, legumes, leafy greens).
High consumption of phytate-rich grains, reducing iron absorption.
Limited healthcare access for anaemia screening & treatment.
A newly arrived Sudanese refugee woman is fatigued and has pale skin. She follows a largely plant-based diet and consumes a lot of tea with meals. What deficiency might she have, and what recommendations can you provide?
Iron deficiency anaemia.
Advice: Increase intake of iron-rich foods (legumes, dark leafy greens, red meat). Consume vitamin C-rich foods (citrus, capsicum) to enhance absorption. Reduce tea consumption with meals as tannins inhibit iron absorption.
Which immigrant groups are at higher risk of calcium deficiency, and why?
Elderly immigrants & women from East Asian, African & Middle Eastern backgrounds.
Common causes:
- Lactose intolerance → avoidance of dairy.
- Low awareness of calcium-rich non-dairy foods (tofu, sardines, leafy greens).
- Limited access to fortified alternatives.
Calcium deficiency is common in individuals from regions with low dairy intake, including __________, __________, and __________.
East Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
Why are pregnant women from refugee backgrounds at higher risk of folate and iodine deficiencies?
Folate deficiency:
- Low intake of leafy greens, unfortified grains.
- Increases risk of neural tube defects in newborns.
Iodine deficiency:
- Low seafood & dairy intake.
- Limited use of iodised salt.
- Affects foetal brain development.
A recently arrived pregnant woman from Somalia has been consuming mostly staple grains and very little seafood. What nutrients might she be deficient in, and what foods should she incorporate?
Deficiencies: Folate & iodine.
Recommended foods:
- Folate-rich foods: Dark leafy greens, legumes, fortified grains.
- Iodine-rich foods: Seafood, dairy, iodised salt.
What strategies should dietitians use when working with immigrant populations?
Screening for common deficiencies: Iron, vitamin D, B12, calcium, folate, iodine.
Culturally appropriate nutrition education: Incorporate traditional foods while improving diet quality.
Food security initiatives: Improve access to affordable, nutritious, culturally appropriate foods.
Public health programs: Support supplementation & fortification strategies (e.g., vitamin D, iron-fortified grains).
An immigrant family from Vietnam is struggling with dietary changes after arriving in Australia. They eat fewer traditional foods and rely on processed options due to convenience. What advice would you give?
Encourage maintaining traditional foods while making nutritious choices.
Suggest alternatives for unavailable foods (e.g., swapping white rice for brown rice).
Provide education on processed food risks & healthier options.
