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Poor Nutrition in the Developing World
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- Parent Category: Upper-Intermediate News Lessons
- Category: Health Lessons
- Written by Chris Cotter
According to a World Bank report, eating the right kind of food is very important. In fact, it may be more important than ever before.
The report warns that children need to eat not only enough good food, but also the right kind of food. If children don't get enough vitamins and minerals, then they suffer long-term problems. At two years of age, the children are underweight and underdeveloped. They get sick from disease more easily, and may also suffer from health problems later in life. They often have lower intelligence levels. This leads to malnourished children who are more likely to drop out of school later in life. As a consequence, they then earn less money as adults. In some areas suffering from drought in Africa, as many as 30% of children are hungry. India, Southeast Asia, and parts of South America face similar problems.
The news is alarming, from both a humanitarian and an economic point of view. The report states that fighting malnutrition requires as much as 3% of a developing country's annual GDP. Because the growth rate of some countries is only two or three percent, providing better nutrition could double their economic growth. But many developing countries and international aid organizations aren't taking effective action.
The World Banks says it should set up education programs in health and nutrition for mothers with young babies. It also suggests cleaner living conditions and improvements in health care.
Preview some of the lesson material:
Title: Speculate and/or discuss the contents of today's article from its title: "Poor Nutrition in the Developing World."
Fill in the Blank: Fill in the blank with the correct word.
- If children don't get enough vitamins and minerals, then they ( ) long-term problems.
- These children get sick from ( ) more easily.
- Children who are ( ) are more likely to drop out of school.
- They then ( ) less money as adults.
- Africa suffers from ( ) in some areas, so as many as 30% of children are hungry.
- India, Southeast Asia, and parts of South America face ( ) problems.
- The news is alarming from a ( ) point of view.
- The news is alarming, from an ( ) point of view.
- Providing better ( ) could double some countries' economic growth.
- Many developing countries and international aid organizations aren't taking ( ) action.
post-Comprehension: Talk about the following questions in pairs/groups. Remember to support your answers!
- Do you ever think about the poor and the hungry of the world?
- What can be done to fight malnutrition?
- Who should fight malnutrition, the first world with massive economies, or countries where the problem exists?
- Could a problem like this happen in your country?
- What will be done to help because of this report?
Google Search: Type "malnutrition" into Google. Look at the websites, and/or read additional articles on this topic. Discuss or write an essay about your findings.
