Its World Food Day: The Little you do can go a long way!!

Its #WORLDFOODDAY Hurray!! #WeAllLoveFood #Foodie #FoodFest #NomNom and the countless hashtags associated with our food pics shows a universal love for food- well pruned, cleaned, packaged, eye pleasing and ready for consumption. We also love having the food that we love-available in the quantities required, but did you know that Food in the right quantities and right quality is a luxury for many persons across the world?! Even more do you know that our consumption patterns,  food storage, usage and general food choices do have a great impact on our health?!

Indeed, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) State of Agriculture report for 2013 reveals some startling statistics:

1.  One out of every 4 children in the world under age five is stunted. This means 165 million children are so malnourished they will never reach their full physical and cognitive potential.
2.  About 2 billion people in the world lacks vitamins and minerals that are essential for good health.
3. Some 1.4 billion people are overweight. of these about one third are obese and at risk of coronary heart disease, diabetes or other health problems.

The overarching issue is that the consumption of too little or too much food are linked to issues of Hunger and Malnutrition. Yet many are unaware that even while consuming the right amounts of food, persons can be malnourished without knowing it.. How is this possible you ask? When your nutritionist says “Eat a VARIETY” of foods, it was never meant to be an old wive’s tale. In fact, this slogan points to the need for families to consume the right quality of food-food which nourishes the body and provide well needed energy. Still confused? This may help…

With issues of Hunger and Malnutrition in mind, the FAO has rolled out World Food Day celebrations under the theme “Healthy People depend on Healthy Food Systems: Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition” with three distinct messages:

What’s more everyone of us has a role to play in the fight against hunger and malnutrition. At a personal level we can take a difference by:

• Educating ourselves with relevant information about what constitutes a balanced diet for ourselves and our families. For example, Did you Know that different types of malnutrition can coexist within a household or even individual? Remember it is never just about having enough food-it is more about having enough of the RIGHT Quality of Food. 
• Taking small steps within your household to minimize food losses 
• Avoid Wasting Food
• Eat Fruits and Vegetables 3 times per day
• Avoid Junk Food
• Use Social media and the web to share with others so they too can make a commitment to fighting hunger and malnutrition.
• Teaching your children, friends, family and loved ones to think as global citizens: So you, your friends, neighbour and close associates may not personally suffer from hunger or malnutrition, yet do you see how your food related actions could have an impact on those who are without basic food items?  

For more information on World Food Day visit FAO’s World Food Day Portal Follow @FAOWFD and @FAONews on Twitter and stay tuned to our  Jamaican Mommies Facebook Page for more updates, videos, prizes and surprizes.

Are you observing World Food Day? Share with us @JamaicanMommies  on twitter

Happy World Food Day!! Healthy People depend on Healthy Food Systems!!

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