Dalagan, Anne Glydel C.

Date Due: September 1, 2016

FN 1 THU

Date Submitted: September 1, 2016

Reflection Paper on FN 1

According to NHS.UK, malnutrition, which also means poor nutrition, is a serious condition that
occurs when a persons diet doesnt contain the right amount of nutrients. Malnutrition can be either
overnutrition or undernutrition. (http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Malnutrition/Pages/Introduction.aspx)
Overnutrition (obesity) is a serious problem of malnutrition in different countries such as United States.
It is revealed from HBOs Weight of the Nation, the most apparent factor that contribute to malnutrition
(specifically in the United States) is the lack of access of places that sell fresh and healthy foods and inflation
in food prices. Also, it was proven from the documentary that large percentage of obese population in United
States does not come from the richest states rather it comes from the poor communities. Common food hubs
found in these communities are fast food restaurants and grocery stores offering discounts in several food
products. Though these people can save a lot from eating inexpensive products, fried and junk foods, the
consequence is an unbalanced and unhealthy diet. Obesity also leads to health risks such as cardiovascular
diseases, strokes, high blood pressure and other diseases.
Undernutrition happens to an individual when there is not enough nutrition. The main factor that
contribute to undernutrition exposed on the episode of GMAs Reel Time: Salat is poverty. Vina, a widowed
mother of eight children in Tondo, make a living by peeling garlic cloves and paid only for 40 pesos. Having low
income, they could only rely on much cheaper and unhealthy foods like instant noodles which is not enough to
satiate their hunger. Sometimes, the family wouldnt eat if theres no money for buying food. Mary Rose, the
daughter of Vina, allots all of her allowance at school for transportation only. If the child eats rarely and if
theres a chance, eat only similar type of food, how will this child get other nutrients his/her body needed to
grow? I feel terrible and sad for Vina by just looking at her physical state. Another factors that were not merely
stated in the show but I think also play major effect in malnutrition is the living environment and unhygienic
condition. These people are living in an unhealthy environment and they do not have a proper hygiene since
they dont have money to buy soaps and shampoo. Consequently, the effect of these factors in undernutrition
is weight loss, growth faltering and low immunity for diseases and slow growth for children.
Meanwhile, the movie Food Inc. (2008) by Robert Kenner is mainly about the investigation of where
mostly our daily food comes from and the shocking real situation of how food production happen from these
companies. It is shown that most of the food production nowadays is factory-processed from meat to
vegetables we consume. These people dont even consider the welfare of these animals. Large number of
chickens are crowdedly staying in a dark, enclosed houses, vegetable seeds are genetically engineered and
cattles diet are purely corn resulting to development of E. Coli in the cows system. These selfish, greedy and

inconsiderate corporations were also the ones sitting in the government thats why its easy for them to break
the laws regarding food safety. Moreover, they control those lowly farmers around them, making them work like
robots and if some of these farmers didnt accord to their plan, they will either sue them or ensure that they will
lose their source of living. How pathetic it is to live as farmer if you will be treated like this!
What struck me the most is how regular people are affected in this kind of system. Though I am the
type of person who is not easily moved by emotions, I almost cried when I watched the scene where Barbara
Kowalcyk told the story of how his son died by eating a burger they bought from a fast food restaurant. Kevins
death is due to hemorrhagic E. coli, which came from the patty of the burger he ate. Seeing how his sons state
change from being healthy to unlively, lifeless form left my heart broken. And what Barbara wanted from those
people in fault is to say theyre sorry and to make some reform on their method of food production. This made
me realize that we are generally responsible for what we eat. Though the large food companies have the
power to control the food the market sells, there are still small farmers markets that offer more fresh and
healthy food. In short, we still have the final choice of what we are we going to consume. I was a big fan of
McDonalds. When I was young, my family used to eat in McDonalds after going to church. During those times
until now, I thought that eating McDonalds foods are one of the best moments in my life since French fries and
fried chicken are my favorite foods. But after seeing the movie, I dont have any courage to go to any fast food
restaurant. Now, I rather buy fresh potatoes and chicken from the market and cook them by myself.
Food Inc. (2008) imparts the viewers that we should be aware of what we eat. Not because they are
sold in popular markets doesnt mean this food is safe. These food products pass through several stages and
we must know the history and source of this product. Also, labels, which shows the ingredients of the product
are important to be checked. We should be sure that the food we are eating will not cause any harm to us, and
through labels we can trace what kind of processing does the product went through. We could also identify
which of the food products are healthy or unhealthy. In this manner, we can live our life free from sickness and
illness.
Malnutrition is a never ending problem in the entire world and in our society. Here in the Philippines,
malnutrition (undernutrition) is a huge problem especially in informal settlers community wherein most
residents dont have permanent job. Due to poverty, food security is at risk resulting to inadequate diet for the
poor citizens of the country. The best solution to improve the nutrition situation of the country is to alleviate
poverty by providing jobs or business opportunities for unemployed Filipinos. This solution will definitely be
long-term but when implemented successfully will have a great impact in reducing the starving population. As a
member of a socio-civic organization, our organization aim to help the malnourished children by going to slums
and establishing booth to conduct feeding programs. Another thing that I think I can contribute to improving the
nutrition situation in the country is by promoting awareness to my friends about how people suffers from
malnutrition. Last, I can help saving the health of the future generation by educating children about malnutrition
and what should be the proper choice of food that will bring a healthy life for everyone.