Lesson 1:
Just Say "Know" to World Hunger
Handout 1
Hunger Facts
Hunger Facts for Teacher Background
What is hunger and how big of a problem is it?
- The definition of undernourished is when a person does not have sufficient nourishment to stay healthy and grow.
- Malnutrition affects a person both physically and mentally. Signs of malnutrition are as follows:
- fatigue and low energy, lack of hope
- dizziness
- inability to fight off infections
- dry, scaly skin
- swollen and bleeding gums, decaying teeth
- slowed reaction times and trouble paying attention
- underweight, bloated stomach
- poor growth, muscle weakness
- bones that break easily
- problems with organ function
- Millions of people are at higher risk of infectious diseases because of undernourishment and malnutrition.
- There are over one billion under nourished people in the world right now.
- Over six million people die of hunger each year because they could not get sufficient food.
- Thousands of tons of food are wasted every day in the United States.
- The hungriest places in the world are shown on this Map of World Hunger: http://www.feedingminds.org/level1/pri_level_en.htm
Why is there a lack of food and nutrition for some people?
- Droughts, floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters and devastations
- Climate change and global warming
- No financial support/funding/income
- No employment or ways to make a living
- Population growth has caused a tremendous strain on the resources of this world.
- Exploitation/discrimination
- Government control/wars
- Indifference by people who have resources
What can be done to help?
- Work with a community partner or organization concerned with feeding people to assist them with their needs.
- Learn more about nutrition and help others learn about nutrition.
- Fundraising and service projects
- Emergency food funds
- Farming assistance
- Work in soup kitchens/food pantries and donate to food drives.
Who can we work with? (Fill in additional local agencies)