Political Constraints to Nutritional Improvement: The Case of Guyana

Abstract

The processes generating malnutrition are examined with particular reference to Guyana. The theoretical framework includes the concept of limiting factors, which in this case means that the failure to alter a critical variable will prevent nutritional improvement, despite intervention in other variables. Among important factors found to cause malnutrition are low national production, inequitable income distribution, and maladaptive cultural practices. These are located in the economy of the country and in the institutions and ideas which support that economy. Power and politics therefore fundamentally affect nutritional outcome; and imperialist control of underdeveloped economies makes international relations an indispensible consideration. It is concluded that for Guyana the political process is the limiting factor which must be altered before significant nutritional improvement can occur.