The Global Food Crisis and Malnutrition

Often, hunger is silent and insidious. As UMVIM health providers it is a good idea to evaluate children for malnutrition.  This can be done very simply by using a tape meausre to  obtain the circumference of  a child's arm, midway between the shoulder and the elbow.  Children 1 year and older should have a measurement of at least 13.5 cm. regardless of how plump they look on other parts of their body.  If not, consider development of a nutrition plan for the child.  Such a plan depends upon many factors and may present challenges to come up with local sources of nutrients or supplements.  Volunteers may need to pay reliable local resources to supply the necessary food items to the targeted families.

It is something to consider adding to team health mission protocols.