Hunger - Maika Robledo Sanz

     Hunger is a very known issue occuring in the DR and all over the world. It has become a problem that ranges a wide variety of ages and it has to be immediately addressed and asserted. 

     Programs and organizations all around the world have tried to better target this issue by starting movements and fundraisers to achieve resources to be able to spread to areas in need.      Malnutrition occurs as a consequence of insufficient food consumption and the repeated appearance of infectious diseases. Malnutrition may be chronic or acute, or weight-for-age malnutrition. 

     Malnutrition means having a body weight that is lower than normal for age, a lower height than normal for age (delayed growth), being dangerously thin or displaying vitamin and/or mineral deficiency - malnutrition as a result of a lack of micro-nutrients, better known as hidden hunger. 

     According to the State of the World’s Children Report for 2007, between the years 1998-2005 some 11% of babies were born with a low birth rate, and between the years 1995-2005 2% suffered from moderate and serious malnutrition and 9% from chronic (age-for-weight), moderate and severe malnutrition.     

     Although poverty is usually mentioned as the main cause of malnutrition, other factors are just as important, such as failure to breastfeed exclusively, the presence of illnesses like diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, and others, such as lack of education and information about good or adequate nutrition, failure to consume vitamin supplements or fortified foods, and the cost of food. 

     The Dominican Republic has to work together along international corporations to find more efficient solutions to the hunger problems occuring in the country and community. LET'S SAVE THE KIDS!!