Supplemental Drinks
While it is always important to have a basic education and understanding of proper nutrition, a good background does not make food more affordable. An individual, parent, or mother-to-be could be nutritionists themselves, however, without the monetary resources to purchase (or grow) the necessary food, malnutrition will still occur.
So what can be done? First, as most foundations, donors, and programs have limited resources, it is important to target a specific group of people that will most benefit. In this case, there is strong evidence that “the major damage caused by malnutrition takes place in the womb and during the first 2 years of life. This damage is irreversible and is linked to lower intelligence and reduced physical capacity, which in turn diminishes productivity, slows economic growth, and perpetuates poverty” (Atinmo et. al). In order to reduce damaging and life-long side effects (and ultimately reduce poverty) it would be important to target pregnant women and young children under the age of two. While it can be extremely difficult to ensure that each mother and child receives the proper amount of nutrients daily, it is relatively easy to provide supplements. As various studies have shown, supplying nutritional supplements to both pregnant mothers and young children can result in “larger body size, improved physical work capacity, more schooling, and better cognitive skills” as well as to “substantial increases in wage rates” (Hoddinott et. al).
While working at Common Hope, the supplemental drink, Incaparina, was given to diabetic patients before their weekly meetings and appointments. This is a “low-cost protein-rich food supplement developed by the Institute for Nutrition for Central America and Panama (INCAP)” (Shaw). Because the Common Hope foundation already supplies this supplemental drink, it would be sensible to provide this nutritional supplement to malnourished children and mothers. Incaparina itself was proven successful in a nutrition intervention study conducted in rural Guatemalan pueblas. Fresco, a less nutritious drink was given to those in one community, and Atole, “a gruel-like drink made from Incaparina” (Hoddinott et. al), was given to those in a second community. It was found that in children given supplements before 3 years of age, “the mean increase in length over baseline was 2.9 cm in atole villages and 0.5 cm in fresco villages” (Hoddinott et. al), that children given atole supplements before the age of three stayed in school longer, scored better on comprehension tests, and “for atole supplementation during 0–24 months, the corresponding increase in the hourly wage rate was US$0·67 per h, representing an increase of 46% over average wages in the sample” (Hoddinott et. al).
So what can be done? First, as most foundations, donors, and programs have limited resources, it is important to target a specific group of people that will most benefit. In this case, there is strong evidence that “the major damage caused by malnutrition takes place in the womb and during the first 2 years of life. This damage is irreversible and is linked to lower intelligence and reduced physical capacity, which in turn diminishes productivity, slows economic growth, and perpetuates poverty” (Atinmo et. al). In order to reduce damaging and life-long side effects (and ultimately reduce poverty) it would be important to target pregnant women and young children under the age of two. While it can be extremely difficult to ensure that each mother and child receives the proper amount of nutrients daily, it is relatively easy to provide supplements. As various studies have shown, supplying nutritional supplements to both pregnant mothers and young children can result in “larger body size, improved physical work capacity, more schooling, and better cognitive skills” as well as to “substantial increases in wage rates” (Hoddinott et. al).
While working at Common Hope, the supplemental drink, Incaparina, was given to diabetic patients before their weekly meetings and appointments. This is a “low-cost protein-rich food supplement developed by the Institute for Nutrition for Central America and Panama (INCAP)” (Shaw). Because the Common Hope foundation already supplies this supplemental drink, it would be sensible to provide this nutritional supplement to malnourished children and mothers. Incaparina itself was proven successful in a nutrition intervention study conducted in rural Guatemalan pueblas. Fresco, a less nutritious drink was given to those in one community, and Atole, “a gruel-like drink made from Incaparina” (Hoddinott et. al), was given to those in a second community. It was found that in children given supplements before 3 years of age, “the mean increase in length over baseline was 2.9 cm in atole villages and 0.5 cm in fresco villages” (Hoddinott et. al), that children given atole supplements before the age of three stayed in school longer, scored better on comprehension tests, and “for atole supplementation during 0–24 months, the corresponding increase in the hourly wage rate was US$0·67 per h, representing an increase of 46% over average wages in the sample” (Hoddinott et. al).
However, there are some problems with the production of Incaparina. As mentioned in an article discussing the pros and cons of Incaparina, “the consumers who may need the product cannot afford it, and the consumers who can afford may not need it” (Verma). This is where potential and current donors to Common Hope can make a huge difference.
Sadly, it can often become difficult to gain financial backing to fight malnutrition. One of the problems is that many potential donors do not understand the definition of malnutrition. While many people believe that malnutrition and starvation are synonymous, they are not. Malnutrition is “not having enough nourishing food with adequate amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals and calories to support physical and mental growth and development” (Munoz 2). This means that a person can easily be normal weight or even overweight while being malnourished. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get people to donate when poster children do not physically look like they are dying of starvation. And even those foundations who do get generous international support for starving children, the help usually does not deal with malnutrition, “In 2007, wheat and sorghum accounted for more than half of all U.S. food aid donations. Unfortified and unprocessed, these and other basic grains do not contain the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals needed by mothers and young children” (Uphaus 6). Basic facts about nutrition and malnutrition need to be more widely known. It is important that people are given basic education on this topic, not only in developing countries, but in the United States and other developed countries as well.
I had always wished that there were a magic potion that could be handed out to make poverty disappear. Maybe this idea wasn’t as farfetched as I had initially imagined. Who knew that an essential ingredient in ending dire poverty can come in the form of a supplemental shake? And if this is the case, well then shouldn’t we take action?
Sadly, it can often become difficult to gain financial backing to fight malnutrition. One of the problems is that many potential donors do not understand the definition of malnutrition. While many people believe that malnutrition and starvation are synonymous, they are not. Malnutrition is “not having enough nourishing food with adequate amounts of protein, vitamins, minerals and calories to support physical and mental growth and development” (Munoz 2). This means that a person can easily be normal weight or even overweight while being malnourished. Unfortunately, it is difficult to get people to donate when poster children do not physically look like they are dying of starvation. And even those foundations who do get generous international support for starving children, the help usually does not deal with malnutrition, “In 2007, wheat and sorghum accounted for more than half of all U.S. food aid donations. Unfortified and unprocessed, these and other basic grains do not contain the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals needed by mothers and young children” (Uphaus 6). Basic facts about nutrition and malnutrition need to be more widely known. It is important that people are given basic education on this topic, not only in developing countries, but in the United States and other developed countries as well.
I had always wished that there were a magic potion that could be handed out to make poverty disappear. Maybe this idea wasn’t as farfetched as I had initially imagined. Who knew that an essential ingredient in ending dire poverty can come in the form of a supplemental shake? And if this is the case, well then shouldn’t we take action?