The Food System and Malnutrition Issues

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Questions and Answers

What was one effect of the 4-crop rotation system developed by Lord Townshend?

Lowered soil fertility

Increased reliance on pesticides

Reduced pests (correct)

Decreased livestock fodder

What are the two main pathological states the upcoming lectures will focus on?

Obesity and malnutrition (correct)

Obesity and starvation

Obesity and diabetes

Diabetes and malnutrition

Which invention was crucial for reducing seed sowing labour and improving crop yields?

Rotheram plough

Mechanical harvester

Threshing machine

Seed drill (correct)

What was a significant outcome of the Green Revolution from 1961-1985?

Doubling of cereal crop yields per hectare Signup and view all the answers

What does the ‘food system’ primarily refer to?

All processes from farm to plate Signup and view all the answers

What was a common consequence of chronic malnutrition before WW1 in Western countries?

Premature death Signup and view all the answers

The Rotheram plough contributed to agriculture by:

Increasing the amount of land that could be cultivated Signup and view all the answers

Which agricultural practice introduced by Lord Townshend is most associated with nitrogen fixation?

Clover planting Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what was one of the main outcomes of the industrial revolution on the food system?

A state of chronic malnutrition for a sizeable portion of the population Signup and view all the answers

What perspective do some authors hold regarding the current food system?

It has caused over-abundance in the 1st world and hunger in the 3rd world Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of chronic malnutrition in vulnerable adults and the elderly?

Increased susceptibility to secondary infections Signup and view all the answers

What primary factor contributed to the decline of chronic malnutrition in Western industrialized nations?

Access to a secure and cheap food supply Signup and view all the answers

How did fluctuations in wheat prices impact mortality rates in cities?

Low wheat prices decreased food availability for the urban poor Signup and view all the answers

What key issue arose in rural areas when wool prices were low and wheat prices were high?

Inability to afford adequate food supplies Signup and view all the answers

Which group was particularly at risk of starting smallpox epidemics due to chronic malnutrition?

Malnourished children Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason cocoa farmers struggle to make a decent profit?

Market prices benefiting traders over farmers Signup and view all the answers

Which country accounts for the largest percentage of world cocoa production?

Ivory Coast Signup and view all the answers

How do agricultural practices in the West affect local producers in the Third World?

Through subsidies that lower crop prices Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the food industry's drive for profit in the West?

The obesity epidemic Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the two emerging alternative approaches to agriculture discussed?

Life sciences paradigm Signup and view all the answers

What has the 'productionist paradigm' contributed to, according to the conclusion?

Both starvation and obesity Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the characteristics of cocoa production in the Ivory Coast?

Employment of child labor Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key factor in the food security issues faced by many people in the Third World?

Reliance on cash crops Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant change in food consumption patterns post-WWII?

Shift towards processed and packaged foods Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial expectation of turkey sales by Swanson foods after packaging them in airline dinner trays?

5,000 units Signup and view all the answers

What economic model demands continuous growth in the post-WWII era?

Capitalism Signup and view all the answers

What has been a major driver for the explosion of processed foods since the 1970s?

Increase in working women Signup and view all the answers

How much is the global market for processed food sales worth annually?

3.2 Trillion US dollars Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of food industry control over what people eat?

Focus on processed foods with high fat and sugar Signup and view all the answers

Why are people likely to eat more when presented with a variety of food choices?

Enhanced palatability of food options Signup and view all the answers

What strategy has significantly increased the advertising of food to consumers?

Continuous advertising and promotion Signup and view all the answers

What preservation method was primarily recognized until the early 1800s?

Salting, drying, and smoking Signup and view all the answers

Who first developed the canning method using glass jars?

Appert Signup and view all the answers

What was a major health risk associated with early canning methods?

Anaerobic bacterial growth Signup and view all the answers

During which time period did large-scale industrial refrigeration begin to develop?

1870s Signup and view all the answers

What significant advancement allowed for improved food transport in the late 19th century?

Refrigerated ships Signup and view all the answers

What role did railroads play in the food supply system from 1860 to 1900 in the US?

Facilitated bulk transport Signup and view all the answers

Which preservation technique involves the use of nitrates?

Chemical methods Signup and view all the answers

What consequence did the new food preservation and transport technologies have?

Improved food security Signup and view all the answers

What did the mechanization of canning lead to in the late Victorian period?

Export growth of canned goods Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial purpose of developing canning technology?

To preserve food for the military Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Food System

Lectures focus on pathological states like obesity and malnutrition, arising from complex circumstances (social, economic, psychological, biological).
Understanding these causes is crucial for addressing these issues.
The lecture highlights a key social and economic determinant of obesity and malnutrition.

The Food System (continued)

The particular concern is the food system itself.
The processes from farm to plate are included in this definition.
Many authors argue that the current food system leads to over-abundance in developed countries and hunger in developing countries.
The presentation questions if this view is fair and correct.
A simple food system diagram (Figure 1.1 - not provided) illustrates its various stages.

Our Hungry Past (Part 1)

Chronic malnutrition was common in Western countries from the industrial revolution to WWI.
Premature death was a significant consequence.
For example, of every 1,000 infants, only 200 reached 50 and 100 reached 70.
People often died before the age of 50, losing numerous family members and friends in their own generation.

Our Hungry Past (Part 2)

Wheat consumption was a major part of the diet.
Fluctuations in wheat prices strongly correlated with mortality rates.
Crop failures and price spikes could lead to mortality crises in rural areas.
Iatrogenic or malnutrition-related death could be a major concern.
Malnutrition compromised the immune system, making individuals vulnerable to opportunistic infections, such as those that led to smallpox outbreaks.

The Present

Chronic malnutrition is rare in Western industrialized nations.
People live longer, happier, and better-fed lives than past generations.
This improvement in food security is a massive achievement.

Food Supply

The food system works well, so why is it being criticized?
Historical context is needed to understand this system's current challenges.
The food system's development needs analysis, using historical problems and solutions to identify potential issues with the current system.

The Problem 1 – Cost of Food

Food was very expensive in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.
Working people spent around 80% of their income on food.
The percentage of income spent on food decreased drastically over time from 42% in 1900 to 13% in 2003 in the US.

The Problem 2 – Food Security

Food security was often fragile based on weather and diseases.
The Irish potato famine (1845-1852), where blight destroyed crops, led to widespread starvation and emigration.
This illustrates dependency on local sources and vulnerability to external factors.
Improvements in agricultural practices addressed these vulnerabilities.

The Solution 1

Mechanization, such as the development of the Rotheram plough and the seed drill, dramatically increased the efficiency of food production.
The Green Revolution (1970s) increased yields with fertilizers and pesticides.
Various methods of preservation improved food security, such as the 4-crop rotation system, canning, and freezing.

The Solution 2

Food preservation (canning, freezing, drying and smoking) was developed to make food readily available and prevent loss due to weather or storage.
Canning development by Appert (1806) revolutionized food preservation.
The advent of large-scale industrial refrigeration (late 1800s onwards) greatly improved food preservation.

The Solution 3

The train revolutionized bulk food transport.
Grain and meat transport became cheaper and more efficient.
This facilitated the development of international trade in food.

The Solution 4

Improved food security, cheaper food, and increased income were consequences of technological advances.
These changes occurred during and after the 1750-1945 period.

Post WWII

The capitalist model requires continued growth in food production.
The food system expanded to meet the basic needs of the industrialized world.

Problem 1 – Growth

Value-added foods (like processed foods, fast food) have exploded since the 1970s.
Increased choices and opportunities to consume a greater variety of foods.
Marketing efforts, especially impacting children, promote consumption.
The increase in food choices raises concerns about nutrition and health.

Problem 2 – Hidden Costs

Hidden costs of food production, such as environmental and social impacts, have not received adequate attention, though this is becoming increasingly important.
Concerns about soil degradation by agricultural practices are emerging.
Extensive use of fossil fuels and related problems.

Problem 3 – Distortions

The agricultural market is not fair in its practices.
Developing countries are encouraged to grow cash crops over basic food crops to meet debt repayments.
Subsidies further distort the market, as illustrated by US agricultural subsidies.

Results

The food system has been successful in delivering us from malnutrition.
The system's inherent issues, like obesity and other related problems, require attention.
Changes in food practices and other related factors have led to greater issues in the food industry (like obesity and hunger).

Solutions

New approaches, like the life sciences and ecologically integrated approaches, are emerging.
Research is focused on solutions to problems related to agricultural production, food security, and health issues.
Localized production and sustainable farming techniques have been highlighted.

Conclusion

The productionist paradigm' impact on starvation and obesity, both positively and negatively, is complex yet significant.
There is no single cause for these problems, but the system as a whole plays a large role.

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Description

This quiz explores the complex food system and its role in pathological states such as obesity and malnutrition. It discusses social, economic, and biological factors impacting food accessibility and nutrition from historical and modern perspectives. Understanding these determinants is essential for addressing contemporary food-related health issues.