Food for Thought

Many people are familiar with the book The Material World which is famous for going around the world and photographing people with all their possessions. Classrooms all over the country (world?) have used this book to get a visual portrait of comparative standards of living. Now, some of the authors have collaborated on a new book called Hungry Planet. Families are once again posed in front of their houses, but this time they have one week's food laid out in front of them. The difference between countries is staggering to say the least. Each country profile also includes a story about the family, and general food statistics for the nation over all. Looking at the rates of malnutrition versus obesity makes quite a powerful statement. Large portions of the population in Mali, Chad, Guatemala, and the Philippines struggle to get enough to eat. At the same time, millions of people in Australia, Germany, France, and especially the United States are slowly killing themselves withan excess of food.