In the context of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Geography syllabus, measuring food and health is a crucial topic that encompasses various indicators and transitions. This document will delve into the global patterns of nutrition and health indicators, the nutrition transition, and the epidemiology transition. Each section will be broken down into smaller, digestible parts for clarity.
Food security is defined by the World Bank as having continuous access to a diet of sufficient quantity and quality to:
Despite there being enough food globally to feed everyone, food insecurity persists due to factors like weather, war, crop growth issues, poverty, changing population rates, and evolving diets. Different regions face varying levels of food security, and nutrition indicators help measure and demonstrate these differences.
Malnutrition occurs when a person isn't consuming the correct nutrients necessary for health, which can result from either a deficiency or surplus of nutrients. Malnutrition can cause:
Indicators of malnutrition include:
Example
For instance, in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, malnutrition is prevalent due to food scarcity, leading to high rates of stunted growth and wasting among children.
Nutrition indicators are measured using various metrics:
Each indicator is scored between 0–100, with 100 being the best. The mean of each indicator provides the score for each category, and the overall score of the Global Food Security Index (GFSI) is the average of each category.
Nutrition Indicator Advantages Disadvantages Global Food Security Index Comprehensive, includes sustainability and adaptation May be inaccurate, needs to consider cost of living, currency differences, and inflation Global Hunger Index Comprehensive, measures Sustainable Development Goals Some countries lack data, focuses mainly on children Calories per person/capita Simple, quantitative Not enough on its own, ignores regional variations and nutrient quality Indicators of malnutrition Shows effects of malnutrition, includes deficiency and excess Doesn't consider socio-political causes
Tip
Make sure you know the different advantages and disadvantages of each nutrition indicator. You might be asked to compare or discuss how useful they are.
Nutrition transition refers to the shift in dietary consumption and energy expenditure that coincides with economic, demographic, and epidemiological changes. It typically involves a shift from traditional diets high in cereals and fiber to more Western-pattern diets high in sugars, fat, and animal-source foods.
Example
China's rapid economic development has led to a significant nutrition transition. In 1980, meat consumption was 12kg per person, but by 2023, it had risen to over 62kg per person.
Note
The nutrition transition is often associated with increased calorie intake, leading to higher rates of obesity and diet-related diseases in both high-income countries (HICs) and emerging economies.
Health indicators describe and measure world health, showing differences in health and health inequality across the globe. They are useful for showing rates of life expectancy and the differences between low-income countries (LICs) and high-income countries (HICs).
Life expectancy is higher in countries with good quality healthcare, sanitation, clean water, and good hygiene practices.
HALE is the length of time a person will live unaffected by sickness or disease. It measures how long a person lives in good health.
BMI is a rough measure of a person's mass in relation to their height, calculated as:
$$ BMI = \frac{\text{Weight (kg)}}{\text{Height (m)}^2} $$
Common Mistake
BMI is a crude measurement and can misclassify individuals who are heavily muscular but lean as overweight or obese.
Note
Overweight and obese individuals have a higher risk of developing type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and coronary heart disease.
The epidemiology transition describes the shift in disease patterns and causes of death as societies progress through different stages of development.
Example
In many HICs, the leading causes of death have shifted from infectious diseases to chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer.
Understanding the epidemiology transition helps in planning and implementing public health strategies to address the changing health needs of populations.
This concludes the detailed study note on measuring food and health in Geography from the IB syllabus. Each section provides a comprehensive overview to help you understand the nuances of food security, nutrition indicators, and health indicators globally.