Option F Chapter 1 Flashcards
Distinguish between hunger and malnutrition
Hunger = strong desire for food when it is in short supply - depends on availability of food and ability of people to access it.
Malnutrition results from inappropriate diet - may involve nutritional deficiency resulting in disease such as marasmus and kwashiorkor - may also be caused by excessive eating, resulting in obesity
Referring to two or more examples, explain what is meant by the nutrition transition
This is the shift in dietary consumption that coincides with economic development, for example, countries that are changing from high carbohydrate consumption to high protein and fat consumption. India and China are making this transition currently.
suggest a reason as to why calories per day may not be a reliable indicator of nutrition
Calories provide energy, but consumption varies globally from an average of 3800 per day in the US to 1680 in Burundi. The average consumption for LICs is 2680 and for HICs is 3400. This wide range makes this indicator unreliable and its unreliability is increased by other factors:
* Societies with a more sedentary life style need fewer calories. Whereas those employed in farming or other active pursuits need more.
* Body size controls calorie consumption.
* Gender controls body size and occupation (to some degree).
explain the value of HALE as an indicator of health
explain three limitations in assessing a nation’s health by referring to the ratio of doctors and people
This is a crude measure because the interpretation of “doctor” varies.
To view him/her in isolation is also unsatisfactory because the size and quality of the medical team and the technological support are both important.
explain the difference between epidemic and pandemic
An epidemic is an outbreak of disease that spreads across a large region affecting many. A pandemic is an epidemic that has got out of control and the extent can be global. A good example is the Black Death, which killed 75 million people, and more recently and less deadly, the swine flu pandemic in 2009.
define the term “infant mortality rate” and explain its value as an indicator of a country’s level of development
IMR is the number of infant (<1 year) deaths per 1000 live births per year x 100.
A high IMR reflects upon the mother’s state of health, living conditions and health provision. Risk factors are:
* A very young mother, <15 yrs.
* Low levels of education.
* Bottle feeding
* Tropical climate
* Poor water quality
* Poor sanitation
* Poor medical support
distinguish between diseases of affluence and diseases of poverty
Diseases of poverty
Environmental causes – these derive from generally poor living conditions affecting sanitation and water supply. These are also ideal conditions for the growth of bacteria and insects that spread disease.
Social causes – households in which parents are missing (possibly due to AIDS) struggle to avoid disease. Low income families are more susceptible to disease.
Diseases of affluence
These usually relate to sedentary lifestyles, lack of exercise, and excess calories. These can result in diseases such as cancer and chronic conditions, which can reduce quality of life.
describe how the leading causes of premature death in China changed between 1990 and 2013
In 1990 the leading causes of premature death in China were:
(1) Lower respiratory infection
(2) Cerebrovascular disease
(3) Neonatal pre-term births
In 2013 the three main causes of premature tests were:
(1) Cerebrovascular disease
(2) Ischemic heart disease
(3) Road traffic accidents
This change is typical of a LIC undergoing the epidemiological transition.
with reference to named examples, explain the epidemiological transition
LICs pass through the epidemiological transition as they develop economically. In early stages of development their domestic situation improves, especially where freshwater and good sanitation are concerned. Thereafter incidence of infectious disease declines and living conditions improve. With gradual increase in income they are able to afford a more affluent lifestyle. The population becomes less likely to die from infectious diseases, but diseases of affluence, such as heart disease and cancer, increase. As they make this transition from infectious to degenerative, the death rate also rises on account of road accidents. The reason for this is that traffic is unregulated at this stage and safety devices and precautions have not yet been enforced. Therefore road accidents are inevitable and often fatal.
China has passed through this transition since 1990, along with Egypt
