Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
may lead to blindness and death. Vitamin A is also needed for bone growth.
The diet should be adjusted to include foods rich in vitamin A or carotene, such
as dry whole milk and cheese, butter, margarine, eggs, liver, carrots, dandelion,
kale, and sweet potatoes.
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Iron Deficiency Anemia
Lack of vitamin B
12
or folic acid, repeated loss of
blood, and increased iron need during pregnancy cause weakness, irritability,
brittle fingernails, cuts and sores on the face at the mouth, and other debility.
Prevention of blood loss and treatment with iron salts are suggested. Iron com-
bines with protein to make the hemoglobin of the red blood cells that distribute
oxygen from the lungs to body tissues. Consumption of liver, lean meats, poul-
try, shellfish, eggs, oysters, dried fruits, dark green leafy vegetables, iron-fortified
flour, and cereal foods will contribute iron to the diet.
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Goiter
Goiter is a thyroid disorder usually caused by deficient iodine content
in food and water and inadequate iodine absorption. The WHO estimated that
nearly 2 billion people worldwide have insufficient iodine intake, with the greatest
burdens in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
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Widespread use of iodized salt
in the Americas has led this region of the world to have the lowest prevalences of
insufficient iodine intake. Seafood and ocean mist are good sources of iodine.
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Kwashiorkor
Kwashiorkor is one of a group of diseases caused by protein
deficiency and common among children less than six years of age living
in underdeveloped areas of the world. Related diseases include marasmus
and protein energy malnutrition (PEM). The term
kwashiorkor
means “the
disease of the displaced child” and often occurs in children affected by
manmade or natural disasters. Signs and symptoms include changes in the
color and texture of the hair, diarrhea, and scaling sores. A diet rich in
animal proteins, including dry skim milk, meat, eggs, fish, and cheese, and
vegetables can control the disease. Because of the scarcity or lack of these
foods in some developing countries, special formulations have been prepared
to provide the necessary nutrients. These include Incaparina,
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a mixture
of cornmeal, ground sorghum, cottonseed flour, torula yeast, and leaf meal,
blended and fortified with calcium and vitamins; WSDM, consisting of 41.5
percent
sweet
whey,
36.5
percent
full-fat
soy
flour,
12.2
percent
soybean
oil,
nine
percent
corn
syrup,
and
vitamins
and
minerals;
and
CSM,
corn
soy-milk.
Marasmus
Marasmus is a form of malnutrition that causes a progressive wast-
ing of the body. Marasmus occurs primarily in young children and is associated
with insufficient intake or malabsorption of food.
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Marasmus is usually associ-
ated with diarrheal diseases and weight loss in young children. An inadequate
diversified food intake can contribute to the problem. A gradual increase in
food intake, including protein, carbohydrates, and fat, is the suggested treat-
ment.
