Trigger Warning: This post discusses topics of genocide and trauma.
For over 70 years, the people of Palestine, including their children, have endured unimaginable grief and violence. Homes have been completely destroyed, hospitals are filled far beyond their capacities, and Palestinians are killed by airstrikes and bullets every day (Farajallah, 2022). In 2020, it was found that 88.4% of Palestinian youth experienced personal trauma, and 60% of the households in the Gaza Strip experienced food insecurity (El-Khodary, Samara & Askew, 2020; A. Assaf, Al Sabbah & Al-Jawadleh, 2023). Although these statistics are exceptionally high, current numbers would be even more alarming due to the escalation of the violence since October 7th, 2023. Studies conducted prior to then have not taken the extremity of today’s genocide into account, yet it can be inferred that the rates of malnutrition in Palestinian youth are now at an all-time high.
Malnutrition is a health condition caused by the deficiency of essential nutrients, which can be due to an insufficient food supply (Saunders and Smith, 2010). Malnutrition causes low energy levels, thus downregulating energy-dependent cellular processes. This can eventually cause the body to draw on energy from muscle, bone, and adipose tissue, which weakens them. This causes weight loss due to the reduction in muscle mass, including cardiac muscle mass. Ultimately, renal function is also interrupted due to reduced the blood flow to the kidneys. Gastrointestinal function may also be disrupted because the colon is unable to reabsorb water and electrolytes, resulting in diarrhea (Saunders & Smith, 2010). Furthermore, malnutrition in pregnant women and young children hinders the development of the child’s gut microbiota during the critical window, putting them at risk for long-term health problems (Figure 1).
Figure 1: The critical window for development is classified as the period between preconception and 2 years old. This is when phenotypic plasticity is highest, meaning the child is most susceptible to phenotypic changes influenced by environmental factors. This includes immune and physiological alterations due to poor diet, hygiene, pathogens, pollutants, mode of birth, and antibiotics. These alterations can lead to the development of an unhealthy early-life microbiota which increases the risk for future diseases such as, cancer, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and a generally weakened immune system (Forgie, et al., 2020).
As malnutrition weakens the immune system, the risk of infections rises and the body’s immune response slows down (Saunders & Smith, 2010). Therefore, the healthcare crisis in Palestine leaves individuals with untreated diseases compounded by the effects of malnutrition (Saunders & Smith, 2010).
In addition to experiencing malnutrition, Palestinian children have had their loved ones, safety, education, and dreams ripped away (Farajallah, 2022). Their mental health is negatively affected because of their early exposure to trauma (Catani, 2018). This can cause behavioural problems, including irritability and anger outbursts. Moreover, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression may develop, potentially leading to suicidal ideation. PTSD can also lead to intergenerational trauma, as it can set off the cycle of violence. For instance, a child’s response to trauma may make them more difficult for a parent to manage, causing them to develop a more violent parenting style. A parent’s exposure to war can also put them at risk for alcoholism, which may contribute to child abuse. Additionally, studies conducted in post-war Sri Lanka and Uganda found that children’s reports of maltreatment were connected to the severity of their parent’s war-related PTSD (Catani, 2018).
Ultimately, the injustices that Palestinians have faced for generations are beyond dehumanizing. In their fight for freedom, the children and citizens of this land deserve equitable access to food and healthcare services.
Reference List
A. Assaf, E., Al Sabbah, H. and Al-Jawadleh, A., 2023. Analysis of the nutritional status in the Palestinian territory: A review study. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10, p.1206090. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1206090.
Catani, C., 2018. Mental health of children living in war zones: A risk and protection perspective. World Psychiatry, 17(1), pp.104–105. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20496.
El-Khodary, B., Samara, M. and Askew, C., 2020. Traumatic events and PTSD among Palestinian children and adolescents: The effect of demographic and socioeconomic factors. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, p.4. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00004.
Farajallah, I., 2022. Continuous traumatic stress in Palestine: The psychological effects of the occupation and chronic warfare on Palestinian children. World Social Psychiatry, 4(2), p.112. https://doi.org/10.4103/wsp.wsp_26_22.
Forgie, A.J., Drall, K.M., Bourque, S.L., Field, C.J., Kozyrskyj, A.L. and Willing, B.P., 2020. The impact of maternal and early life malnutrition on health: a diet-microbe perspective. BMC Medicine, 18(1), p.135. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-020-01584-z.
Saunders, J. and Smith, T., 2010. Malnutrition: Causes and consequences. Clinical Medicine, 10(6), pp.624–627. https://doi.org/10.7861/clinmedicine.10-6-624.