Malnutrition in the US: A Hidden Crisis Affecting Midland, Texas and Beyond
Byโค Dr. Michael Lee, World-Today-News.com – October 26,2023
Malnutrition is often associated with images of famine in โฃdistant lands. Though, a silent epidemic is unfolding right here in the United States, andโ Midland, Texas is not immune.this isn’t simply a matter of lack of food, โฃbut a complex issue of nutrient imbalances – deficiencies, excesses, and overall poor nutrition – with far-reaching consequences for individual and public health.
Beyond Hunger: Understanding theโ Spectrum of Malnutrition
Theโค term “malnutrition” encompasses more than just starvation. It includes undernutrition, characterized โคby weight loss and muscle wasting; overnutrition,โ which can lead to metabolic problems โeven in those overweightโ or obese; chronic โฃdiseases linkedโข toโฃ poor diet likeโค diabetes and heartโค disease; and deficiencies inโ vital micronutrients like Vitamin D and iron. These imbalances erode โphysical and cognitive health, drive up healthcare costs, and diminish quality of life.
A Stark โRise in Cases and Fatalities
Recentโ data paints a concerning picture. A 2019 study published in Clinical nutrition revealed that a staggering 30-50% of adults hospitalized inโข theโ U.S.are either malnourished orโ at risk. While โคolderโ adults, especially those living in isolation, are especially vulnerable, anyone can fall prey to malnutrition due to illness, injury, financial hardship, or simply a โขpoor diet.
The consequences are severe. Malnutrition compromises the immuneโข system, slows wound healing, weakens muscles, and tragically, can be fatal. The Centersโข for Disease Control โand Prevention (CDC) reports a dramatic increase in malnutrition-related deaths, โsurging from approximately 9,300 in 2018 to over 20,500 in 2022. adding to the crisis, overโ 34 millionโ Americans – including a meaningful number ofโค children and seniors – โขcurrently experience food insecurity, aโ keyโฃ driver ofโข malnutrition. โExperts predict this alarming trend will continueโข withoutโข intervention.
**Malnutrition Awareness Week: A Call to Action (September 8-12,2