Chapter 20. Chapter 20: Feeding the World - A Gene Revolution

What are the basic nutritional requirements for human health and what problems result from poor nutrition?

Why You Should Care

The World Health Organization asserts that malnutrition is the largest public health issue globally—that probably doesn't surprise you. But would it surprise you to know that, if you are living in the United States or another developed country, there is as much as a two out of three chance or higher that you are malnourished?

Good nutrition is based on both the proper proportions as well as the proper amounts of different macro- and micronutrients. The macronutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, and fats; all three are essential to provide both energy and building material for the body. Micronutrients include essential vitamins and minerals and play a part in the proper functioning of body processes.

Overnutrition is having too much of one or more nutrients, usually the macronutrients. It is now common in countries where high-calorie, low-nutrient food is readily available. This once was a problem in developed countries, but some developing countries, like India, are also seeing increasing rates of overnutrition. Overnutrition can result in obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and numerous other medical conditions.

Undernutrition and deficiencies occur when people are not getting enough of a macronutrient, vitamin, or mineral. These deficiencies can of course be connected with starvation in general but often results from not having enough variety in the diet to obtain sufficient nutrition, as often happens when people derive most of their nutrition from a single staple food like rice or cassava.

The incidence of malnutrition in all its forms reflects the inequitable distribution of food around the world, and it will remain an issue until all countries enjoy food security and sovereignty.