Hunger Across the World

Hunger and chronic malnourishment are closely interlinked with the poverty cycle. Less income typically means families eat less. Less eating means less energy to go find work or food, and the cycle continues. Unfortunately, although some areas may have access to enough food to physically fill their bellies, the food they eat lacks the nutrients required to meet their body’s needs. This is known as malnutrition. In addition to the classic signs of malnutrition (low body weight, distended stomach, bony limbs, etc.), this extreme level of hunger can cause lifelong health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, poor cognitive function and physical stunting. Even a short period of undernourishment can have lasting effects on a child’s development, which is why it is vital to address the worldwide hunger crisis now.

Hunger impacts not only a person’s physical well-being but also their mental health. Constant worry about where the next meal will come from can cause severe anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder. Additionally, hunger can interfere with a child’s ability to learn — brain fog, irritability or hyperactivity can make it difficult to concentrate on studies. 

Gender inequality also contributes to hunger. When families have to choose which family members should receive the most food, women and girls are often placed at the bottom of the list. Mothers are expected to be the first ones to sacrifice their food so that their children can eat. The gender gap for food insecurity has also increased — women were 10 percent more likely to experience moderate-to-severe food insecurity in 2020, compared with 6 percent in 2019.