Even though some people would argue that there just is not enough food in the world, world hunger and obesity can easily be prevented and eliminated with proper knowledge and programs. World hunger is a very important epidemic because of the risks or implications it imposes on the rest of the world. Juveniles are the utmost apparent victims of under-nutrition. 2.6 million children die as a result of hunger-related causes each year. 66 million school-aged children go to classes hungry across the developing world, with 23 million in Africa alone.
Sadly, the US has failed to aid them and millions are currently suffering from hunger. In addition, with how the economy is now, the effects of hunger are getting worse every day. Many Americans are relying and most of them depend on food stamps and private organizations to help with this crisis. The documentary, “A Place at the Table” by Kristi Jacobson and Lori Silverbush present some issues and real life story to explain what is really happening and how hunger and obesity are not problems on opposite ends of a spectrum, but are in fact intricately linked. Poor nutrition, health problem and poverty are all related.
Shanthy Bowman says, “Adolescence represents a time of increasing autonomy, and teenagers purchase more fast food with their own money” (web). More and more children are buying the food they want rather than what they should be eating and parents are allowing it. Unfortunately, it is creating the problem of spending more for junk food and less on healthy nutritious lunch. Nestle says, “Schools are perfectly capable of producing nutritionally sound foods that taste good and are enthusiastically consumed by students as well as teachers” (256). They can make a change but why would they want to.
Why are there families with children that go all weekend without a meal while our grocery stores are overflowing with food, and our pantries at home have more than we need? If more people were educated about the reality of hunger in East Tennessee, then more people would be inclined to help resolve the problem. Through education this issue can be eradicated. There are ways to better inform East Tennesseans about the realities that plague our poverty stricken population that are ultimately avoidable. Volunteering and making donations to the food pantries and organizations in the area are two of the best ways to support the less fortunate who need aid.
That is why many poor children have nothing to feed their growling stomachs and nourish their dry bones. In order for us to put a stop to poverty and fix the economy, we need to start taking good care of the environment by practicing environmental sustainability. “Every second four people die from hunger; around 27-28 percent of all children in developing countries are estimated to be underweight or stunted”(“World Poverty and Hunger”) This is because the government in those countries not how to manage their natural resources. It is true that we as earth's citizens are blessed with lots of resources to use, but when the government uses its power to scrape the earth of its juice, nothing is left for the masses to feed on. Moreover, they are left to their fate.
We need to make sure that our body gets all kind of nutrients needed for good health. If a child misses his or her school just because of eating junk food from these vending machines, than it is the alarming situation for all of us. Lack of nutrients especially iron are the main causes of weaker immune system, and if our immune system don’t work properly, our body loses the ability to fight against diseases and illnesses. Most the the children often miss school for weeks,
Hunger is a very important issue in the United States. The film “Place at the table” addresses to this problem through the stories of American people and families who have to face the struggle with hunger on the daily basis. It is hard to believe that such a prosperous country like United States has such an issue, but the statistics provided by U.S. Department of Agriculture tells us the horrifying truth that one in every six Americans does not have enough food to eat. That is approximately fifty million people. The government and majority of US people are in denial of this problem, because they are simply ashamed to acknowledge it.
Given the growing economic insecurity many people in America are dealing with, it is important to understand poverty and how it improves the increase of obesity among youth. Less fortunate families mostly have fattening foods that supply more energy like sugary cereal, potatoes and processed meats. This is because these foods are more affordable and last longer than fresh vegetables and fruits and healthy meats and fish. Only if we understand the causes at work can we effectively design strategies to reduce this major health risk to already vulnerable people.
Therefore let no man object to my plan by proposing to provide Good Jobs for many Americans, the U.S. labor market no longer works as a reliable way to build a stable career and support their families, Work Support Programs that help to expand access to affordable health care and child care, and strengthen tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which help working families, and Child Nutrition Programs which are critical to ending childhood hunger. When children receive the nutrition they need, they are more likely to move out of poverty as adults. (Bread for the World) The dense streets of our country make strolling outside on a beautiful and perfect day or evening exhausting. The streets, roads, and sewers are perfusing with grimy looking, foul smelling, still breathing and talking corpses. Panhandling for food, water, clothes, and better shelter all while fighting each other to get near you to ask.
I suggest that a system should be created which implements and reinforces responsibility amongst all three parties. All three parties have played a role in getting our children in this unfortunate situation, and all three should help our children to become healthy, active, productive members of society. With billions of dollars spent annually on advertising to children, I believe that the government should limit the amount of airtime available to purchase for companies that sell “unhealthy food/beverage products”. The growing epidemic of childhood obesity has brought attention to the role that food/beverage advertising and marketing play in negatively influencing the eating habits of children. Children are being exposed to increasing amounts of advertising and marketing.