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Institutional dimensions of the malnutrition problem
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 May 2009
Extract
The roots of malnutrition are found in economics, education, agriculture, and health. This multiple etiology requires that approaches to the problem engage many different institutions. These organizations can be viewed as constituting an International Nutrition Institutional Network. The functions of this system are collection and dissemination of information, provision of goods and services, financing, and coordination. Significant problems, however, have been identified in the performance of these functions. These are organizational: poor coordination, vague responsibility delineation, inadequate evaluation, people limitations, and internationalnational relationships. They are also political: policy vacuum, knowledge gaps, and priority conflicts. Unless these are rectified, the Network's effectiveness will remain severely limited.
- Type
- Section III Economics, Politics, and the World Food System
- Information
- International Organization , Volume 32 , Issue 3: Special Issue: THE GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY OF FOOD , Summer 1978 , pp. 811 - 836
- Copyright
- Copyright © The IO Foundation 1978
References
1 The International Food Policy Research Institute estimated that 1974–75 cereal shortfall at 45 million tons, rising to 98–105 million tons in 1985; Meeting Food Needs in the Developing World: The Location and Magnitude of the Task in the Next Decade, Research Report No. 1, February 1976, p. 2. This is not to suggest, however, that the best way to meet nutritional needs is necessarily through grain trade or international food donations.
2 Austin, J. E. et al. , Urban Malnutrition: Problem Assessment and Intervention Guidelines, Harvard University, Report Submitted to International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 09 1976Google Scholar. The calculation assumes a cost of $263 per ton including delivery system costs and the need to distribute 72 million tons to meet the calorie deficit, including 30 million tons which get drained off through leakages such as storage, consumption by nontarget group individuals, etc.
3 For further discussion see “The United States, FAO and World Food Politics: US Relations with an International Food Organization,” Staff Report of the Senate Select Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs, 06 1976, Washington, D.C.Google Scholar
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5 The authorization was $500 million but was reduced by the Appropriations Committee.
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26 In 1976, nutrition loans or nutrition components of other loans were less than 4 percent of total annual agriculture and rural development lending.
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