Nutrition is an essential aspect of human health. The food we consume provides the body with the necessary nutrients to function optimally.

Unfortunately, millions of people around the world suffer from inadequate nutrition, which has contributed to the increase in global mortality rates. In this article, we will examine the impact of inadequate nutrition on global mortality and ways to mitigate the adverse effects of malnutrition.

Impact of Inadequate Nutrition on Global Mortality

Inadequate nutrition has been linked to several health conditions that contribute to global mortality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition is the underlying cause of 45% of all child deaths worldwide.

Malnutrition also weakens the immune system, making it difficult for individuals to fight off infections and diseases. As a result, inadequate nutrition is responsible for increasing the morbidity and mortality rates of several diseases, including:.

Diabetes
Cancer
Tuberculosis
HIV/AIDS
Malaria
Cardiovascular Disease

The Causes of Inadequate Nutrition

There are several causes of inadequate nutrition, which include:.

Poverty: poverty is a leading cause of inadequate nutrition. Poor families cannot afford to provide their children with nutritious meals, which leads to malnutrition.
Food Insecurity: food insecurity arises when individuals do not have access to sufficient food for a healthy and active life. Food insecurity affects people in both developed and developing countries.
Lack of Education: lack of education on nutrition can lead to poor eating habits, which can result in inadequate nutrition.
Environmental Factors: environmental factors such as natural disasters, war, and climate change can disrupt food supplies and affect nutrition.
Medical Conditions: certain medical conditions such as eating disorders, digestive disorders, and food allergies can result in inadequate nutrition.

Ways to Mitigate the Adverse Effects of Inadequate Nutrition

There are several strategies that can be applied to mitigate the adverse effects of inadequate nutrition. These strategies include:.

Improving Access to Food: improving access to food through programs such as food assistance can help alleviate food insecurity and malnutrition.
Education and Awareness: educating people on the importance of nutrition and how to make healthy food choices can help mitigate the adverse effects of inadequate nutrition.
Addressing Poverty: addressing poverty through economic growth and income redistribution can help alleviate malnutrition caused by poverty.
Medical Treatment: medical treatment for medical conditions such as eating disorders, digestive disorders, and food allergies can mitigate the adverse effects of inadequate nutrition.
Investing in Agriculture: investing in agriculture can help improve food security and nutrition by increasing food production and improving food quality.

Conclusion

Inadequate nutrition is a significant contributor to global mortality. It weakens the immune system and increases the morbidity and mortality rates of several diseases.

Several factors, including poverty, food insecurity, lack of education, medical conditions, and environmental factors, contribute to inadequate nutrition. To mitigate the adverse effects of malnutrition, several strategies, including improving access to food, education and awareness, addressing poverty, medical treatment, and investing in agriculture should be implemented.