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Children’s Health & Nutrition

Children’s Health & Nutrition. Jim Dugan. Quick Stats. Malnutrition. "One out of two is the average but in indigenous areas, chronic malnutrition can reach 80 per cent total of children under five years of age“- Adriano González-Regueral, a UNICEF Volunteer

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Children’s Health & Nutrition

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  1. Children’s Health & Nutrition Jim Dugan

  2. Quick Stats

  3. Malnutrition • "One out of two is the average but in indigenous areas, chronic malnutrition can reach 80 per cent total of children under five years of age“-Adriano González-Regueral, a UNICEF Volunteer • It is estimated that 50% of children in Guatemala suffer from malnutrition • Stunted growth and mental deficits • Large families make it even more difficult to feed the children • Religious beliefs against contraceptives • Ranked worst for malnutrition in Latin America and 4th worldwide 2 year old girl at a weighing station, where volunteers through different organizations are able to check the growth process in children

  4. Meal Breakdown

  5. Meals • Tortillas don’t provide children with adequate nutrients • Most kids lack a significant protein source • People are beginning to differentiate between “good” and “bad” food • USAID donates millions in food assistance • Specifically for fortified foods

  6. Other Problems • Early malnutrition=long-term health issues • Coffee and banana plantations, but only 2% of the population own this land • No access to the benefits that this land produces • Food prices are rising • Significant cost to the government • Repeated years of school, emergency healthcare, & gov’t handouts

  7. Pre-Natal and Infant Care • The mothers can be so malnourished themselves that they are unable to produce breast milk for their newborns • Malnourished mothers giving birth to malnourished children • Anemic mothers • Risky births

  8. I was unable to find the amount of times children may see a doctor in the first few years of their lives… • Unlike the US, where 6-12 month checkups for kids are typical

  9. What is Being Done… • Vaccinations provided by the government • Wheat is being fortified with iron and sugar with Vitamin A • There are a handful of doctors in various communities, but many people have to travel far • Unable to get prescriptions filled, limited time with doctor • Some schools provide food to students, but most kids are already too far gone

  10. "If you want to break the cycle of poverty in Guatemala this is how you do it: Feed kids and feed them early before they get malnourished” • Peter Rohloff, an American doctor

  11. NGO’s • From what I have found, NGO’s prefer to go to areas where Spanish is the primary language • Excluding indigenous people from help that they desperately need • Language barriers and limited access to the indigenous communities

  12. A NGO that provides housing, healthcare, education and food to Guatemalan kids in severe need • Orphans and local Mayans • Serves as a medical clinic for the area • Self-sufficient • Greenhouse, butcher shop, donations, volunteers

  13. What needs to be done? • The ultimate problem is the severe poverty that many Guatemalans face • No immediate answer • Many organizations want the government to set up centers where impoverished Guatemalans can go to get the food necessary for development • Provide vitamins and nutrients • What about the indigenous who may not be able to get to a food center? • Education

  14. Questions to ask Guatemalans during the trip… What do you and your kids eat on a typical day? What food do you consider to be healthy? How many times have you seen a doctor in your life? Have your kids ever seen a doctor?

  15. Citations "At a Glance: Guatemala." UNICEF. N.p., 18 Feb. 2009. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. Gowen, Gwen, and Joan Martelli. "Severe Stunting: Twelve Years Old Going on Five." ABC News. ABC News Network, 14 Dec. 2010. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. "Guatemala." WHO. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013. Miller, Talea. "Malnutrition Plagues Guatemala's Children." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. N.p., 16 Feb. 2011. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. Pizzey-Siegert, Natasha. "The Children of Guatemala Are Starving." Tico Times. N.p., 09 Dec. 2011. Web. 13 Feb. 2013. "Casa Guatemala." Casa Guatemala: Esta Es Tu Casa. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 12.

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