Sue Averill Speaks to Students at Seattle High School

On Friday, March 23 One Nurse's president Sue Averill spoke about Malnutrition at Chief Sealth High School in Seattle, WA for World Water Week.  The students have been studying water issues around the world: the impact on food and hunger; causes such as migration, poverty, war/conflict, drought and rising food prices; and parts of the world most affected - Africa, Asia and some parts of Central America.  Malnutrition is lack of sufficient calories as well as micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).  A robust discussion followed about the impact of such factors as birth control/spacing, religion, politics, culture, national law and these ideas were tied to current events.
 
Sue described her work in feeding centers in Africa, treating children 6 months to 5 years who are most affected, anthropologic and medical determinations of the diagnosis of malnutrition, and treatment of underlying causes.  She showed nutrition treatment products and students were all able to taste Plumpy Nut paste, a staple of nutrition treatment.  A wrap up question and answer period with slides ended the presentation.
 
If you'd like to learn more about Malnutrition and the role nurses play, go to http://onenurseatatime.org/education/malnutrition/