ILMESTERS

INTEGRATED HUMANITIES
MYP 5

Date: 16-11-2023
Task 2

UNIT#1: UNDER PRESSURE RESOURCES

GC: Scientific and Technical Innovation

KC: Systems
RC: Causality
ATL: Research (Media Literacy Skills)
Self-Management (Organizational, Affective Skills)
LP: Caring
SOI: Growing population may need a system of scientific innovation to overcome its causalities.
IM: Conservation of natural resources for a better life of future generations
Criterion A: Knowing and Understanding i, ii
Criterion C: Communicating i, ii, iii
Criterion D: i, ii, iv
Q.1 Define malnourishment and what conditions create an environment in which people are
malnourished?
A person is said to be malnourished if their body does not get enough nutrients to sustain optimal
health and function. It frequently results in shortages of macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals
that are vital for healthy growth and development. Undernourishment or over nourishment may
be the presenting symptoms of this illness, which can lead to a number of health problems,
including stunted growth, decreased immunity, and poor physical and mental development.
Malnutrition affects people of all ages worldwide and might result from inadequate intake, a bad
diet, underlying medical issues, or socioeconomic circumstances. In order to combat
malnutrition, people must have access to wholesome food, receive instruction about eating a
balanced diet, and receive individualized medical care.
A number of factors can combine to create an environment where malnourishment is likely to
occur:
Poverty: Having little money might make it difficult to have a varied and nutrient-dense diet,
which makes people rely more on cheap, low-nutrient foods.
Food insecurity: Unpredictable or insufficient availability to food as a result of events like
natural catastrophes, war, or unstable economic conditions can lead to sporadic or insufficient
eating.
Lack of Education: Making poor food choices and receiving insufficient nutrition might result
from a lack of understanding about appropriate nutrition and dietary requirements.
Inadequate Medical Care: Malnourishment can be caused by illnesses, infections, or untreated
medical disorders that affect the body's ability to absorb and use nutrients or that raise its
nutritional requirements.
Climate Change and Environmental Factors: Agriculture production can be impacted by
floods, droughts, or other natural catastrophes, which can limit food supply and cause
malnourishment in impacted areas.
Comprehensive initiatives are needed to combat malnourishment, such as expanding access to
wholesome food, educating people about healthy eating, strengthening healthcare systems,
tackling poverty, and promoting stable sociopolitical settings.
Q.2 Identify factors which form the basis of neo-Malthusian and Boserup's theories of resource
consumption?
Boserup's theory and Neo-Malthusian theory present opposing viewpoints on the dynamics
between resource use and population growth, each putting forth a distinct set of variables that
affect these dynamics:
Neo-Malthusian Theory:
Population Growth: Highlights how the world's population is expanding exponentially and how
this is placing a burden on the planet's limited resources, ultimately resulting in crises and
resource depletion.
Limited Resources: This term emphasizes how human consumption resources, such as food,
land, water, and energy, are finite and cannot keep up with population increase.
Carrying Capacity: Emphasizes the idea that there is a point at which population increase will
surpass Earth's carrying capacity, creating a situation that could result in famine, illness, and
other emergencies.
Lack of Technological Progress: Neo-Malthusians frequently highlight the possibility that, as
population grows, technological progress may not keep up, resulting in the depletion of resources
and environmental damage.
Boserup’s Theory:
Population Growth as an Innovation Driver: Boserup postulated that agriculture and technical
innovation are stimulated by population growth. Increasing population pressure pushes societies
to innovate, improve agricultural practices, and find new ways to cultivate land in order to
produce more food.
Technological Innovation: In contrast to the neo-Malthusian viewpoint, Boserup thought that
rising population levels drive innovation and the creation of new farming methods, which in turn
boost food output.
Adaptive Responses: Boserup highlighted that human societies are capable of modifying how
they use resources in response to population expansion and shifting demands, preventing the dire
outcomes that Malthusian theory foresaw.
The role of human ingenuity: Boserup's theory emphasizes the value of human creativity and
the ability to be innovative in resolving problems with resource shortage.
These ideas present differing perspectives on how resource constraints are addressed or made
worse by population expansion, resource use, and the contribution of technology innovation and
societal adaptability.
References:

 professional, C. C. medical. (n.d.). Malnutrition: Definition, causes, symptoms &

treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22987-
malnutrition
 Underlying causes of malnutrition. Action Against Hunger. (2020, May 12).
https://actionagainsthunger.ca/what-is-acute-malnutrition/underlying-causes-of-
malnutrition/#:~:text=Lack%20of%20potable%20water%2C%20poor,direct%20causes
%20of%20acute%20malnutrition.
 Ester Boserup & Population Growth Theory: Biography & Comparisons. (n.d.).
https://study.com/academy/lesson/ester-boserup-population-growth-theory-biography-
comparisons.html