Metabolic Disease or Food Insecurity - Essay Example

? Food Insecurities Food Insecurities Part Before preparing this report I was quite confused regarding different issues in population healthcare. I was unable to decide which topic I should chose as both were of so much interest and knowledge. Therefore I did a small research on both of the topics and tried to extract the essence of both of them. This phase has improved my research and decision making ability strong and sharp. However, through this unit I am able to understand various issues on healthcare problems and how to come up with a solution to it. I got to know the statistics of food hunger, which are indeed alarming. Whereas past units have improved my skills on literature reviews, this one has improved my research skills and polished them while I was collecting stats and data for the report. I am looking forward for more interesting assignments so that I may sharpen my capabilities. Part 2 Introduction: According to the United Nations food security can be defined as: ‘all people at all times, hav[ing] both physical and economic access to the basic food they need’ (United Nations, 2013). The issue of food security is undoubtedly an important and complex one which is also at risk because of many factors. The guarantee of food security is confirmed and assured for around 2 billion people across the globe; however the statistics are opposing and quite alarming. This paper is aimed to provide a report to the Federal Health Minister having a scheme to solve the issue of food insecurity. Moreover it will also discuss the issue of food insecurity in humans. This report will try to include all the possible and relevant information regarding the issue of food insecurity in Australia. Moreover the purpose of this report is to draw the attention of the Federal Health Minister to look into the matter and leave no trace of the issue. This report will also focus on the current food security plans and will also provide recommendations, and a distinctive approach to overcome the existing issue. Although much has been done in Australia regarding the issue, but there still are some people who are facing the issue, therefore this report is dedicated for those people and will try to help and ease them with the help of the Federal Health Minister. It should be understood that there are certain reasons which contributes towards the issue of food insecurity. Factors such as change in climate, development of major cities (urban development), the increase in population, and change / shifts in the oil prices which has its influence on almost every aspect of the human life. Such issues when merged bring a negative impact on the food securities resulting in the deficit of supply to all individuals of different states (Luck, et al., 2010). Food insecurity has been a very deep and significant issue round the world. Being an issue of global importance, different theories, researches and articles have been presented in order to counter the issue and to provide a credible and sound solution. However the issue is still a major one in a no of countries, particularly Australia. However, many countries have been able to improve their food plans through different agendas and approaches. It is believed that the set hunger target on a global level is likely to be achieved by 2015, while the issue is still a major one in many countries (Wahlqvist, 2011). Just like any other country in the world, Australia also gives its citizen the right of food security as the basic human right. The Australian government tries to assure that safe and sufficient food is delivered across Australia so that all the Australians may live an active and healthy life. Unfortunately, there are some areas in which people run out of the basic food items on a aroutine basis. They have to come across many obstacles on their way to access food and other requirements. While enough healthy food stays a question. According to a survey it was concluded that there are 870 million people worldwide who are undernourished or are not provided with healthy and sufficient food. Whereas, talking about Australia than almost 5% of the total Australian population is food insecure while 40% are those people who are affected critically (Unit Team, 2013). There are prominent groups of people living in Australia who are much vulnerable to the issue of food insecurity. These groups include people who are unemployed, single parent households, young people or those living on rents and people with low income and wages (Burns, 2004). While indigenous and CALD (Culturally and linguistically diverse) or people who are socially segregated from the society may also face food insecurity on a serious rate (Farmar-Bowers, et al., 2012). There are certain reasons why people are left food insecure in a country like Australia which is so transparent in terms of its population. Many people are food insecure because of the limited resources or the lack of financial capability. Many people are left food insecure due to the poor transportation services available to or for them. People living in geographically isolated areas of Australia are also found food insecure while the cost of nutritional food remains another major factor. However education plays an important role in nutritional planning and healthy diet as many people do not have the knowledge regarding proper nutrition and diet (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012). Food is often seen as an elastic commodity in many areas of Australia and the world. Food is an item which can be patterned as per the purchasing power of the individual. It has been witnessed that during the period of 2003 to 2010, different taxes and cost of utilities including electricity bill has increased by 54%. The rents have increased by 33% whereas the cost of food and related items has increased by 24%. On the contrary, the disposable wages of the low economically stable individuals have only increased by 20%. This is understood that individuals have to pay the bills and other utilities regardless of them being expensive or not, but they can limit and bound their food requirements and can design the food budget accordingly. When they have to spend more on utilities, bills, taxes and accommodation then automatically they will spend fewer amounts on the food (Seniloli, 1995). With the help of the Australian National Nutrition Survey of 1995 and the Torres Strait Islander Health Performance Framework it is necessary to draw the attention of the Federal Health Minister to have a look on the statistics of the group of people who are experiencing food insecurity at a much greater rate (Browne, et al., 2009) (Burns, 2004); Unemployed People - 23% Indigenous People – 24% Single Parent - 23% Low Income – 20% Rental Households – 20% Young People – 15% To counter the issue of food insecurity in Australia different governmental and Non-governmental organizations are working day and night. The government also runs campaign and different programs to overcome the issue. One of this is the Australian Red Cross which is running programs to counter food insecurity in Australia. Red Cross in association with different communities to make sure that the ‘three pillars of food security’ are standing firmly in the Australian society. These three pillars are; Food Availability Food Access Food Utilization. So far Red Cross has came up with many programs in association with other organizations and communities to assure the three pillars of food security in Australia. The program of Red Cross includes food relief, working with the food insecure people to know their issues and find solutions to it on their own and to ensure healthy food and its easy access. People are provided with healthy food through these programs. There is no gender or age restriction of such programs. The programs have ‘Good Start Breakfast Clubs’, ‘Meals on Wheels’, ‘Community Gardens’ and ‘Soup Patrol’. These programs also hold different education sessions which are on healthy eating and are objected to enhance and improve the food budgeting and cooking capabilities of the people (Red Cross, 2013). Another example of the food plan is the ‘Community Kitchen Pilot Project’. The project was initiated in Frankston, Victoria. While reducing the element of social isolation, the plan helps to improve the food insecurity of the people giving them proper knowledge and skills. The project focused on the right selection of nutritious food and its proper access. It tried to remove the barrier of limited resource and finance and the affordability of fresh and healthy products to all the participants. Many individuals, including disadvantaged, aged, indigenous, youth and migrants participate in the project and make use of this Community Kitchen Facilities (Rosier, 2011). The project’s basic aim is to educate the participants in regard of cooking and budgeting of food. Through this project, food is not sold to the participants in fact training workshops are held which facilitates the participants who are interested in getting knowledge. Every week a small group of 6 to 8 people combine and sit together and one facilitator gives them training and guidance on food buying, budgeting and cooking. The facilitator then cooks a dish for them which cost only a few dollars. Good response to the program has been noticed so far. Many people are getting proper education and are being benefited by the project (Department of Health, 2013). The project has also been able to increase the intake of vegetables and decrease the consumption of fast food among citizens (PMSEIC Expert Working Group, 2010). Instead of these existing plans and projects there are still people in Australia who are food insecure. Therefore the Federal Health Minister should look into the matter and should revise these plans and projects and alter them as per the needs of individuals. A proper and effective strategy should be designed in which all the areas, people and issues are covered; not at once but in a step to step manner. Through this it will be easy for the project directors and the people as well to easily look after every area of error thoroughly and easily (TearAustralia, 2013). Different teams should be formed and be sent to the scattered and isolated areas in Australia which are neglected. While sessions in urban as well as rural districts should be held on alternate day basis. Food relief campaigns should be planned in which food insecure people should be registered and provided with basic food. These people should also be analyzed after different time intervals in order to know if the consequences of the plan are positive or not. However, while the plan will be of benefit to the food insecure people it will also have some disadvantages on the same time. Many people who are not food insecure will also try to avail the opportunity and will try to get themselves registered. Chances are there that 30% of the people who are food insecure and will register to the program are likely to get addicted to get free food and will not try to learn anything as they will be getting it for free. Part 3 Reflective Log: As I have already discussed that the previous assignments of the same unit which were on literature review has enhanced and polished my skills and capabilities in a variety of ways. However after the completion of this assignment I feel more confident and look forward to conduct some bigger researches on the same topic. The assignment has sharpened and improved my research skills. I have learnt to analyze and find things more critically than before. Moreover the assignment has also given me insight of what is going on in Australia regarding the issue of food security (Department of Health, 2013). I have gained enough knowledge while doing this assignment regarding population nutrition and the people who are supplied with or do not get healthy and sufficient food. I am very thankful to my course teacher as he has taught and helped me in every step throughout the unit and in research related work of the assignment. List of References Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2012. Australia's food & nutrition 2012. Sydney: AIHW. Browne, J., Laurence, S. & Thorpe, S., 2009. Acting on food insecurity in urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: Policy and practice interventions to improve local access and supply of nutritious food.. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 27 August 2013]. Burns, C., 2004. A review of the literature describing the link between poverty, food insecurity and obesity with specific reference to Australia.. Melbourne: Victorian Health Promotion Foundation.. Department of Health, 2013. Community Kitchens, Victoria: Victoria State Government. Farmar-Bowers, Q., Higgins, V. & Millar, J., 2012. Food Security in Australia: Challenges and Prospects for the Future. Melbourne: Springer. Luck, G. W., Black, R. & Race, D., 2010. Demographic Change in Australia's Rural Landscapes: Implications for Society and the Environment. Melbourne: Springer. PMSEIC Expert Working Group, 2010. Australia and Food Security in a Changing World, Sydney: Australian Government. Red Cross, 2013. Food security. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 26 August 2013]. Rosier, K., 2011. Food insecurity in Australia: What is it, who experiences it and how can child and family services support families experiencing it?. Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies. Seniloli, S., 1995. Household Food Security in Australia. Queensland: University of Queensland. TearAustralia, 2013. Livelihoods & Food Security. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 26 August 2013]. Unit Team, 2013. Disadvantaged groups and food insecurity, Sydney: s.n. United Nations, 2013. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. [Online] Available at: [Accessed 27 August 2013]. Wahlqvist, M. L., 2011. Food and Nutrition: Food and Health Systems in Australia and New Zealand. Sydney: Allen & Unwin. Read More