The public health topic I chose was Nutrition/malnutrition. I chose this topic because I feel every child should be getting the nutrients they need each day to grow and be health, but reality sinks in, and I know there are thousands of children who are not. Children need nutrition to grow mentally Malnutrition is the lack of nutrients needed for proper health and development. Someone can be malnourished for a long or short period of time, and the condition may be mild or severe. People who are malnourished are more likely to get sick and, in severe cases, might even die. In Africa statics show that one in ten infants die within the first twelve months of life due to malnutrition. One in five children suffers from chronic malnutrition, one in ten children suffers from severe malnutrition, and more than one in five children are physically stunted due to malnutrition. Also, in Africa 75% if South Africans have inadequate access to food. This saddens my heart to know that so many children are dying in the world due to the lack of access to food. I believe that children have the right to a caring, protective environment and to nutritious food and basic health care to protect them from illness and promote growth and development. In my future endeavors, I think it would be pretty cool to teach my children about nutrition/malnutrition around the world. As a teacher, I can collect food items from my students and their families, and make care packages to send to children around the world. I can also set up a foundation where people can donate money or food to be sent to families in need.
This is a great idea to do! What a difference you will make in the world! Recently, my program had an ECERS visit and the information shared about the health and nutrition sector was critical. Children have to be provided a balnced meal while in school. Whether they eat it or not is one thing, but it must be offered to them. I think this is amazing and it is often overlooked. Some children do not recieve all the nutrients they need at home.With the school promoting proper nutrition for children it encourages healthier development. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI agree that you have a great idea to try! I also work in a center that participates in the Federal Food Program and we are required to offer the food, from a balanced diet for each meal. If a child cannot eat a certain type of food, we have to find an appropriate substitute that is from the same category of food. Even here in the US, children are not getting the proper nutrition they need.
ReplyDelete@ Angela, thank you! My center will start preparing for ECERS really soon, I am nervous but I am looking forward to it at the same time! That is true, I tell my parent all the time that even if your child decided not to eat what is on their plate, I still have to give it to them so they are getting a balanced meal!
ReplyDelete@ Amy, thank you!I agree with you that children here in the United States are not getting the proper nutrients. Hopefully that will change in the near future!