MalnutritionMalnutrition::A Prevalent Epidemic A Prevalent Epidemic

throughout Sub-Saharan Africa throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and the United Statesand the United States

By Yvonne Plascencia By Yvonne Plascencia

Statistics Statistics

In 2007, 3 billion people were suffering In 2007, 3 billion people were suffering from malnutrition from malnutrition

13.9% of preschool-aged children in 13.9% of preschool-aged children in Southern Africa are underweight, while Southern Africa are underweight, while 25% are stunted 25% are stunted

Only 39% of American adults are at a Only 39% of American adults are at a healthy weight healthy weight

Is economic inequality Is economic inequality linked to malnutrition? linked to malnutrition?

Yes. Yes.

Research QuestionsResearch Questions

What health care issues are prevalent in Sub-What health care issues are prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa and the United States that are Saharan Africa and the United States that are related to malnourishment of individuals?related to malnourishment of individuals?

Examining the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Examining the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of both countries, what access do people of all of both countries, what access do people of all economic classes have to the health care economic classes have to the health care system? system?

Are the health care issues for the poorer classes Are the health care issues for the poorer classes in the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa in the United States and Sub-Saharan Africa more similar than we all think? more similar than we all think?

Methods Methods

Quantitative ResearchQuantitative Research

Comparative study between Sub-Saharan Comparative study between Sub-Saharan Africa and the United States to explore the Africa and the United States to explore the relationship between income and an relationship between income and an individual’s access to healthcare individual’s access to healthcare

Information gathered through books and Information gathered through books and scholarly journals scholarly journals

Some Definition to Know: Some Definition to Know:

Malnutrition Malnutrition Undernutrition Undernutrition Overnutrition Overnutrition

Food SecurityFood Security Food Insecurity Food Insecurity

Poverty Poverty

Undernourishment in Sub-Saharan Undernourishment in Sub-Saharan Africa Africa

Overnutrition in the United StatesOvernutrition in the United States

Results Results

UNICEF UNICEF Conceptual Conceptual Model of the Model of the

Consequences Consequences of of

Undernutrition:Undernutrition:

Disease, Disease, disability, and disability, and

deathdeath

Sub-Saharan AfricaSub-Saharan Africa

The United StatesThe United States

Conclusion Conclusion

Economic inequality is linked to Economic inequality is linked to malnutrition: malnutrition: Don’t have proper access to health careDon’t have proper access to health care Inadequate intake of foodInadequate intake of food

Malnutrition is a growing problem due to Malnutrition is a growing problem due to the fact that poverty is increasing or the fact that poverty is increasing or staying constant staying constant