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Double malnutrition: How do obesity and malnutrition coexist in the same community?
In today's globalized world, malnutrition is a growing concern. It is not only a nutritional deficiency, but also a situation of "excessive nutrition", which causes the dual challenges of obesity and malnutrition in some areas. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in developing countries, especially in urban slums. According to reports, nearly one-third of the global population is affected by some form of malnutrition, which makes it important to delve deeper into the root causes of this problem and its impact.
Scope of malnutrition
Malnutrition is a disease that includes lack of nutrition and overnutrition, as well as various health problems caused by them.
There are two main types of malnutrition: lack of nutrition (i.e. malnutrition) and excess nutrition (i.e. obesity). The concept of "double malnutrition" refers to the existence of both obesity and undernutrition in the same group of people or even the same family. This contradictory situation actually highlights the diverse influences of socioeconomic conditions, urbanization processes and dietary habits.
Current status of global malnutrition
According to the World Health Organization, more than 1.9 billion adults around the world are defined as obese, while at the same time, nearly 400 million people face the dilemma of undernutrition. This seemingly contradictory phenomenon provides a deeper understanding of the scope of malnutrition.
The Lancet Commission's 2019 report recommended that our definition of malnutrition should be broadened to include "all forms, including obesity, nutritional deficiencies and other dietary risks".
In some cities, especially in urban slums in developing countries, one can see both obese children and children who are malnourished due to lack of nutrients. This is not only a problem of eating habits, but also a social and economic issue, which has attracted widespread attention from the international community.
Factors causing double malnutrition
The main factors causing this phenomenon include poverty, lack of access to adequate nutritious food and improper eating habits. Many families may rely on cheap and energy-dense processed foods due to poor economic conditions, leading to obesity; and regional food shortages and improper nutritional knowledge may lead to malnutrition in children.
In some communities, inequalities in socioeconomic structures directly affect the nutritional status of residents, making it more difficult for low-income families to access healthy dietary choices.
Vulnerability of specific groups
Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable groups. According to a UNICEF report, approximately 148.1 million children under the age of five worldwide suffer from growth retardation, while approximately 310 million children face the threat of obesity. In these places, access to healthy food is limited, leading to double malnutrition.
A way to solve double malnutrition
Solving this problem requires multi-faceted efforts, especially at the policy level and social level. Improving food availability and promoting education about healthy eating are important first steps. Experts suggest that attention should be paid to improving the food system and raising social awareness of nutrition, especially in low-income communities, to reduce the risk of double malnutrition.
How to solve the problems of obesity and malnutrition simultaneously in the same community will become a major challenge in the field of public health in the future.
This phenomenon calls for us to think deeply: How can we find a balanced solution in such a social reality?
