Objective 3: To know who is hungry and malnourished in the world

Materials

Fact Sheet: Who is Vulnerable?

Concept: Hunger and malnutrition exist in some form in every country

Content

• Although some countries have more hungry people - both in terms of total numbers and as a percentage of the population - no country is free from hunger and malnutrition. To work towards solutions to the problem of hunger, we must know who the hungry are.

• The fact sheet Who is Vulnerable? provides a list of vulnerable groups throughout the world.

Activities:

• Review the list of vulnerable groups given in the fact sheet. As time permits, ask students why each group is vulnerable to hunger and malnutrition.
• Relate the hunger problems in your area to the vulnerable groups. How many of the hungry people are from the vulnerable groups listed? For instance, is your local problem with hunger related more to victims of conflict, to those who are socially disadvantaged or to migrant populations. Ask students if they can think of other groups in their area who might be vulnerable to hunger, and why.

Summary

Lesson 1 introduced students to the importance of food for growth and body functioning, in order to provide a context for the discussion on hunger. An overview of basic nutrition concepts was presented along with their relationships to hunger and malnutrition. The scope and global perspective of hunger were presented, as well as an overview of the groups who are vulnerable to hunger throughout the world. After completion of Lesson 1, students should be able to list:

• Food sources for major nutrients listed in the lesson.
• Problem nutrients in the local diet in their region.
• The health consequences of insufficient protein and energy, vitamin A, iodine and iron.
• Health consequences of dietary excesses.
• The countries with the greatest problems with hunger.
• The groups that are more vulnerable to hunger.

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