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?

<p>Doubling of cereal crop yields per hectare (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the ‘food system’ primarily refer to?

<p>All processes from farm to plate (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Premature death (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The Rotheram plough contributed to agriculture by:

<p>Increasing the amount of land that could be cultivated (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Clover planting (C)</p> 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?

<p>A state of chronic malnutrition for a sizeable portion of the population (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>It has caused over-abundance in the 1st world and hunger in the 3rd world (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Increased susceptibility to secondary infections (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Access to a secure and cheap food supply (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Low wheat prices decreased food availability for the urban poor (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Inability to afford adequate food supplies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Malnourished children (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Market prices benefiting traders over farmers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Ivory Coast (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Through subsidies that lower crop prices (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>The obesity epidemic (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Life sciences paradigm (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Both starvation and obesity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Employment of child labor (A)</p> 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?

<p>Reliance on cash crops (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Shift towards processed and packaged foods (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>5,000 units (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Capitalism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Increase in working women (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>3.2 Trillion US dollars (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Focus on processed foods with high fat and sugar (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Enhanced palatability of food options (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Continuous advertising and promotion (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Salting, drying, and smoking (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who first developed the canning method using glass jars?

<p>Appert (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Anaerobic bacterial growth (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>1870s (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Refrigerated ships (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Facilitated bulk transport (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which preservation technique involves the use of nitrates?

<p>Chemical methods (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Improved food security (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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

<p>Export growth of canned goods (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the initial purpose of developing canning technology?

<p>To preserve food for the military (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Food System

All processes involved in getting food from farm to plate.

Obesity and Malnutrition

Health problems caused by a combination of social, economic, psychological, and biological factors.

Chronic Malnutrition

A long-lasting state of insufficient nutrition.

Food System and Global Inequality

Our current food systems are believed to cause overabundance in some parts of the world while leading to hunger in others.

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18th Century Mortality

High infant mortality rates and shorter lifespans due to widespread malnutrition in the 18th century.

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Historical Food Dependence

Most people in the past relied heavily on wheat as a primary food source, and fluctuations in wheat prices directly impacted mortality rates in cities.

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Rural Mortality Crisis

In rural areas, a mortality crisis occurred when wool prices were low, and wheat prices were high, making food unaffordable for many.

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Chronic Malnutrition's Impact

Chronic malnutrition weakens the immune system, making individuals vulnerable to opportunistic infections and other diseases.

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Malnutrition & Pregnancy

Malnourished pregnant women often give birth to low birth-weight babies, increasing their susceptibility to infections.

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Malnutrition & Smallpox

Malnourished children can act as a breeding ground for smallpox epidemics, making them vulnerable and contributing to the spread of the disease.

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Western Food Security

Western industrialized nations now enjoy a high degree of food security and affordability, significantly reducing chronic malnutrition.

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Historical Food System

Historical food systems were vulnerable to fluctuations in prices which resulted in large health risks amongst populations.

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Food Preservation Methods (pre-1800s)

Methods like salting, drying, and smoking were used to preserve food commercially before the 1800s.

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Canning Food (Appert)

A method of food preservation invented by Nicolas Appert in France (1806) using heated sealed containers.

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Canning Problems

Early canning methods sometimes resulted in unsafe food due to insufficient heating, allowing bacteria to grow in the food.

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Freezing Food

Preserving food by converting it to solid form, originally developed in China and later adopted in the UK, and industrializing using refrigeration.

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Industrial Refrigeration

Large-scale refrigeration systems for food storage and transport. Crucial to the developing food supply.

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Bulk Food Transport (trains)

Trains made transporting large quantities of food cheaply and easily possible, significantly improving food security across international markets.

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Improved Food Security

Food supply is less dependent on local factors (weather and pests), thanks to improved storage, transport, and preservation methods.

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Food Price Increase Causes

During certain periods, the cost of food rises due to factors like decreased agricultural output or reliance on local sources.

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Agricultural Improvement Solutions

Methods to enhance farming practices, increase yields, and improve food security, such as better crop rotation, mechanization, and utilizing global resources.

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Rotheram Plough

An improved plough developed around 1730, designed for efficient soil tillage, leading to increased yields and land use.

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Seed Drill

A tool created around 1701 that improved seed-planting efficiency, reducing labor and seed needs, resulting in higher yields.

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Threshing Machine

A machine invented around 1830 that automated the separation of wheat from chaff, a labor-intensive task previously performed manually.

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Crop Rotation

Systematically alternating different crops in a field each year that improved soil fertility, reduced pests, and increased animal fodder.

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Green Revolution

A period starting in the 1970s characterized by increased use of pesticides, fertilizers, and mechanization in agriculture, leading to massive yield increases.

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Pesticides' Impact

Increased pesticide usage by 50 fold since 1950, impacting yields but also posing environmental concerns.

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Fertilizer Use

Fertilizers, especially ammonium nitrate, are energy-intensive, contributing to the increased energy use in the agricultural sector.

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Increased Crop Yields

Higher crop production per hectare resulting from improved agricultural practices, particularly during the Green Revolution period, ultimately leading to better food security.

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Post-WWII Food System

After World War II, the food system needed constant growth to maintain profits, even with Westerners mostly adequately fed.

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Value-Added Foods

Processed foods, like TV dinners, that add value by being more than just basic ingredients.

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Processed Food Boom

Post-1970s rise in processed food sales, tied to more working women and increased consumer choices.

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Food Industry Control

The food industry controls much of what we eat, prioritizing profit over consumer health.

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Food Choices & Palatability

More food choices increase consumption, especially when choices are appealing (high fat/sugar).

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Food Availability & Opportunity

Foods being accessible everywhere and all the time allow consumption to be greater.

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Food Advertising

Constant food advertising encourages eating, influencing consumer choices.

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Imports and Stored Food

Import stores allows for coverage of bad harvests and ensures affordability of goods.

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Agricultural Technology

Improvements in farming techniques increased crop yields and drove down food prices

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Productionist Paradigm

A historical approach to food production focused on maximizing output, often sacrificing environmental sustainability or fair labor practices.

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Food Subsidies (West)

Government financial support for farmers in Western countries, making their food cheaper on the global market.

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Cocoa Production (Ivory Coast)

Cocoa, primarily grown in the Ivory Coast, often relies on child labor to maintain profitable production.

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Obesity Epidemic (West)

A health crisis in Western countries, linked to readily available, highly processed foods.

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Life Sciences Paradigm

A food production approach focusing on scientific solutions (like biotechnology) to address food-related problems.

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Ecologically Integrated Paradigm

A more human-centered approach to food production that includes local solutions such as organic farming and localized initiatives.

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Food Security (Developing Countries)

The ability of developing nations to ensure adequate food supply for their populations

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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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The Food System PDF

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.

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