SPAIN THE CHANGING FACE OF MALNUTRITION Almost every country in the world, low-, middle- or high-income, faces some form of malnutrition including undernutrition, overweight/ obesity, or a combination of these conditions. This overlap of different types of malnutrition — undernutrition (e.g., stunting, vitamin and mineral deficiencies) co-existing with increasing rates of overweight and obesity — is known as the double burden of malnutrition. Stunting (being too short for age) in young children is the result of undernutrition in the womb and early in life. In young children, stunting also is associated with poor brain development and educational performance, which leads to lower adult wages and lost productivity. When accompanied by excessive weight gain later in childhood, stunting is associated with increased risk of nutrition-related chronic diseases, such as diabetes. While stunting and vitamin and mineral deficiencies remain high in many low- and middle-income countries, rising income, urbanization, changes in diet and reductions in physical activity also are driving a transition to the co-existence of undernutrition and overweight/obesity. The double burden presents enormous health, social and economic challenges to countries and action is needed now to address this changing face of malnutrition. In high-income countries, although stunting is a less significant problem, micronutrient deficiencies and overweight and obesity are burdensome public health issues that increase and compound the risk of many health problems, including heart disease and certain cancers. SPAIN TRENDS FROM 1980 - 2013 70% In Spain, nearly 60% of adults age 20 and older are overweight or obese.2 60% 50% INSUFFICIENT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR ADOLESCENTS AGE 11-17:3 40% 30% 70% 20% boys 84% girls 10% OVERWEIGHT IN CHILDREN AGE 5-17:4 0% 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010-2013 Overweight and obesity in girls younger than 20 increased 35%1 26% Overweight and obesity in boys younger than 20 increased 37%1 Overweight and obesity in women age 20 and older increased 14% 1 Overweight and obesity in men age 20 and older increased 21%1 boys 24% girls MALNUTRITION IN SPAIN Brief overview of hurdles, causes, contributors to malnutrition CAUSES Vitamin and mineral deficiencies A lack of essential vitamins and minerals increases the risk of infectious illnesses and can lead to anemia, poor growth and nutritionrelated diseases such as blindness, rickets, goiter and neural tube defects. Iron deficiency can lead to anemia, impaired physical and cognitive development and increased risk of morbidity in children. Maternal iron deficiency can cause anemia and is associated Primary risk factors with increased risk of maternal mortality and delivering a low birth weight baby, which can cause further childhood growth restrictions. Overall, the three risk factors that account for the most disease burden in Spain are dietary risks, high body mass index and tobacco smoking.6 Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for obesity, non-communicable diseases and global mortality.2 Vitamin A deficiency can lead to decreased immune function, increased morbidity and mortality, and blindness. Leading dietary risk factors in order of greatest impact:7 Diets low in fruits Diets high in sodium 18% 14% 2 5 Diets low in nuts and seeds of women of reproductive age are anemic of children under five are anemic Diets low in whole grains Diets low in vegetables EFFECTS Non-communicable diseases 12% 8 High blood pressure High blood pressure is a leading cause of death and a major risk factor for heart disease. Sources: 1 2 of premature deaths 30% 8 in men Non-communicable diseases are largely associated with unhealthy diet, sedentary lifestyles and overweight/obesity. Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are among the leading causes of loss of healthy life.6 3 4 5 24% 8 Undernutrition in the form of stunting is associated with increased risk of nutritionrelated non-communicable diseases when accompanied by excessive weight gain later in childhood. in women 6 7 8 Scaling Up Nutrition, or SUN, is founded on the principle that all people have a right to food and good nutrition. It unites people—from governments, civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a collective effort to improve nutrition. Nutrilite is the world’s number one selling vitamins and dietary supplements brand*. For more information, please visit globalnews.amway.com. ™ *Euromonitor International Limited, www.euromonitor.com/amwayclaims Ng M, Fleming T, Robinson M, et al. Global, regional, and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013. Lancet 2014; 6736: 766–81. International Food Policy Research Institute. Nutrition Country Profile: Spain. 2014. http:// globalnutritionreport.org/files/2014/12/gnr14_cp_ spain.pdf (accessed Jan 15, 2015) World Health Organization. Global status report on noncommunicable diseases 2014. Geneva, 2014. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. OECD: Obesity Update 2014. 2014 http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/obesityupdate.htm. (accessed Jan 14, 2015) Stevens GA, Finucane MM, De-Regil LM, et al. Global, regional, and national trends in haemoglobin concentration and prevalence of total and severe anaemia in children and pregnant and non-pregnant women for 1995-2011: A systematic analysis of population-representative data. Lancet Glob Heal 2013; 1. DOI:10.1016/S2214-109X(13)70001-9. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Global Burden of Disease Country Profile: Spain. 2013. http:// www.healthdata.org/sites/default/files/files/country_ profiles/GBD/ihme_gbd_country_report_spain.pdf (accessed Jan 10, 2015). Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Compare. 2013. http:// vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-compare/ (accessed Jan 10, 2015). World Health Organization. Noncommunicable Diseases Country Profiles: Spain. 2014. http://www. who.int/nmh/countries/esp_en.pdf?ua=1 (accessed Jan 17, 2015) Thanks to The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) for providing technical assistance.
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