Public Health Nutrition

Book excerpt: Issues related to nutrition are among the most pressing public health concerns in modern times. Worldwide, malnutrition affects nearly 1 billion individuals, or more than one in seven people. Many Protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies play roles in more than half of all childhood deaths. Effects of malnutrition include mortality, decreased economic productivity, morbidities, such as blindness and stunting, and development of chronic diseases. With a unique focus on Global Health, this book is a comprehensive introduction to Public Health Nutrition. Designed for MPH programs, this book will prepare students to become successful global public health professionals, with a clear understanding of the critical need for public health nutrition programs around the globe. Unlike other texts of its kind, Public Health Nutrition: Principles and Practice for Community and Global Health offers a unique focus on nutrients. Readers will come away with a solid understanding of the specific roles of nutrients including macronutrients and the most relevant micronutrients enabling them to be more effective in improving public health nutrition. With 19 chapters divided into 6 parts, this book covers: Nutrition around the World Policy and Public Health Nutrition Hunger and Malnutrition Maternal and Child Nutrition Nutritional Scenes in Developing Nations Nutrition and the Environment.