4.4 Poverty & Malnutrition*

1. This food item can lead to malnutrition because:

It is high in sugars and saturated fats

It is high in dietary fiber and potassium

This food item can lead to malnutrition because it is high in sugars and saturated fats. Consuming high amounts of sugars and saturated fats can lead to weight gain, increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, and can displace other nutrient-dense foods from the diet. This can result in inadequate intake of essential nutrients, leading to malnutrition.

Explanation

This food item can lead to malnutrition because it is high in sugars and saturated fats. Consuming high amounts of sugars and saturated fats can lead to weight gain, increased risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, and can displace other nutrient-dense foods from the diet. This can result in inadequate intake of essential nutrients, leading to malnutrition.

2. Malnutrition is best defined as:

When people develop eating disorders

When people die from diseases spread through unclean water

When people do not consume enough calories or eat enough different foods to meet the body's needs

Malnutrition is best defined as when people do not consume enough calories or eat enough different foods to meet the body's needs. This condition occurs when individuals lack the necessary nutrients and energy required for proper bodily functions and growth. It can lead to various health issues and impairments, such as stunted growth, weakened immune system, and deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals.

Explanation

Malnutrition is best defined as when people do not consume enough calories or eat enough different foods to meet the body's needs. This condition occurs when individuals lack the necessary nutrients and energy required for proper bodily functions and growth. It can lead to various health issues and impairments, such as stunted growth, weakened immune system, and deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals.

3. Malnutrition most often happens because people are living in poverty.

True

False

Malnutrition is a condition that occurs when individuals do not consume enough nutrients or consume an imbalanced diet. Poverty is a significant factor contributing to malnutrition as it limits access to nutritious food and healthcare. People living in poverty often struggle to afford a diverse and balanced diet, leading to malnutrition. Therefore, it is true that malnutrition most often happens because people are living in poverty.

Explanation

Malnutrition is a condition that occurs when individuals do not consume enough nutrients or consume an imbalanced diet. Poverty is a significant factor contributing to malnutrition as it limits access to nutritious food and healthcare. People living in poverty often struggle to afford a diverse and balanced diet, leading to malnutrition. Therefore, it is true that malnutrition most often happens because people are living in poverty.

4. Being overweight cannot be caused by malnutrition.

True

False

Malnutrition refers to a lack of proper nutrition, which can result in being underweight or having nutrient deficiencies. Being overweight is typically caused by consuming an excessive amount of calories and not getting enough physical activity. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that being overweight can be caused by malnutrition.

Explanation

Malnutrition refers to a lack of proper nutrition, which can result in being underweight or having nutrient deficiencies. Being overweight is typically caused by consuming an excessive amount of calories and not getting enough physical activity. Therefore, it is incorrect to say that being overweight can be caused by malnutrition.

5. Poverty in America often leads to malnutrition because:

People do not have enough water to grow their own crops

Poor neighborhoods don't have the right foods available for a balanced diet

Poor neighborhoods have unclean water, which leads to disease

Poverty in America often leads to malnutrition because poor neighborhoods don't have the right foods available for a balanced diet. This means that individuals living in poverty may not have access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods that are necessary for maintaining good health. Instead, they may rely on cheap, processed foods that lack essential nutrients. As a result, their diets become imbalanced and they are more prone to malnutrition and related health issues.

Explanation

Poverty in America often leads to malnutrition because poor neighborhoods don't have the right foods available for a balanced diet. This means that individuals living in poverty may not have access to fresh fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods that are necessary for maintaining good health. Instead, they may rely on cheap, processed foods that lack essential nutrients. As a result, their diets become imbalanced and they are more prone to malnutrition and related health issues.

6. If this child grows up eating fast food all the time, what might happen to him?

He will be at risk for diabetes & heart disease

He will not consume enough calories to keep his body running

He will be at risk for starvation

If this child grows up eating fast food all the time, he will be at risk for diabetes and heart disease. Fast food is typically high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and calories, which can lead to obesity and an increased risk of developing these chronic conditions. Additionally, fast food often lacks essential nutrients and fiber, further contributing to poor health outcomes. Therefore, consistently consuming fast food can have detrimental effects on the child's long-term health, increasing the likelihood of developing diabetes and heart disease.

Explanation

If this child grows up eating fast food all the time, he will be at risk for diabetes and heart disease. Fast food is typically high in unhealthy fats, sugar, and calories, which can lead to obesity and an increased risk of developing these chronic conditions. Additionally, fast food often lacks essential nutrients and fiber, further contributing to poor health outcomes. Therefore, consistently consuming fast food can have detrimental effects on the child's long-term health, increasing the likelihood of developing diabetes and heart disease.

7. Malnutrition in America usually comes from which TWO problems?

Not enough clean water + not enough income

Not enough income + imbalanced diet

Not enough clean water + imbalanced diet

The correct answer is not enough income + imbalanced diet. This is because malnutrition in America is often caused by a combination of factors, including a lack of access to nutritious food due to financial constraints and an imbalanced diet that lacks essential nutrients.

Explanation

The correct answer is not enough income + imbalanced diet. This is because malnutrition in America is often caused by a combination of factors, including a lack of access to nutritious food due to financial constraints and an imbalanced diet that lacks essential nutrients.

8. This food item can help address malnutrition because:

It is low in dietary fiber and vitamins

It is high in dietary fiber and vitamins

It is high in calories

This food item can help address malnutrition because it is high in dietary fiber and vitamins. Dietary fiber is important for maintaining a healthy digestive system and preventing constipation. Vitamins are essential for various bodily functions and can help prevent vitamin deficiencies, which are common in cases of malnutrition. By consuming a food item that is high in dietary fiber and vitamins, individuals can improve their overall nutrient intake and address malnutrition.

Explanation

This food item can help address malnutrition because it is high in dietary fiber and vitamins. Dietary fiber is important for maintaining a healthy digestive system and preventing constipation. Vitamins are essential for various bodily functions and can help prevent vitamin deficiencies, which are common in cases of malnutrition. By consuming a food item that is high in dietary fiber and vitamins, individuals can improve their overall nutrient intake and address malnutrition.

9. All of the following are possible effects of malnutrition except:

Increased risk of cancer

Heart disease due to obesity

Malnutrition refers to a condition where the body does not receive adequate nutrients, either due to insufficient intake or poor absorption. This can lead to various health issues, including increased susceptibility to diseases and impaired bodily functions. The given answer, "heart disease due to obesity," is incorrect because obesity is often a result of excessive calorie intake rather than malnutrition. However, malnutrition can indeed lead to an increased risk of cancer, as it weakens the immune system and hampers the body's ability to fight off abnormal cell growth.

Explanation

Malnutrition refers to a condition where the body does not receive adequate nutrients, either due to insufficient intake or poor absorption. This can lead to various health issues, including increased susceptibility to diseases and impaired bodily functions. The given answer, "heart disease due to obesity," is incorrect because obesity is often a result of excessive calorie intake rather than malnutrition. However, malnutrition can indeed lead to an increased risk of cancer, as it weakens the immune system and hampers the body's ability to fight off abnormal cell growth.

10. People in less developed countries often suffer from malnutrition because their diets are high in saturated fats and sugars.

True

False

The statement in the question is false. People in less developed countries often suffer from malnutrition due to a lack of access to nutritious food rather than their diets being high in saturated fats and sugars. Malnutrition in these countries is typically caused by poverty, limited food availability, and inadequate healthcare systems, leading to deficiencies in essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Explanation

The statement in the question is false. People in less developed countries often suffer from malnutrition due to a lack of access to nutritious food rather than their diets being high in saturated fats and sugars. Malnutrition in these countries is typically caused by poverty, limited food availability, and inadequate healthcare systems, leading to deficiencies in essential nutrients like proteins, vitamins, and minerals.