World Hunger reports that in 2010, there were 925 million hungry people in the world, most living in Asia and the Pacific. The February 1998 edition of "Africa Recovery," a United Nations newsletter, provides grim statistics regarding malnutrition. The statistics indicate that around the world, nearly 12 million children under the age of 5 die annually. More than half of those deaths are due to malnutrition. Although there is a relationship between hunger and malnutrition, the two are not the same. Consult with a health care adviser if you or someone you know suffers from malnutrition or hunger.
Definitions
"Oxford English Dictionary" defines hunger as "the uneasy or painful sensation caused by want of food; craving appetite." MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia defines malnutrition as "a lack of some or all nutritional elements necessary for human health." While occasional hunger does not necessarily result in malnutrition, chronic hunger or an inadequate supply of nutrients might. Hunger, however, is not a criterion for malnutrition. For instance, an individual may never experience hunger but still be lacking certain nutrients vital for survival in his diet.
Causes
Since malnutrition is characterized as the lack of a type of nutrient, the condition has a variety of causes. Vegetarians may lack protein while other diets provide insufficient amounts of iron or folate, which may lead to a condition known as anemia. Medical conditions may also contribute to malnutrition. Individuals diagnosed with celiac disease have difficulty absorbing certain nutrients and may be undernourished if the condition is left untreated. Age may also contribute to malnourishment because as the body ages, the production of digestive enzymes decreases. Excessive consumption of calories void of nutrition may also lead to malnourishment. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends a diet consisting of primarily lean protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Added sugars and unhealthy fats, such as candy and saturated fats, should be restricted. The causes of hunger range from mild to severe. A busy lifestyle may leave people little time to eat nutritious meals. More severe causes of hunger include poverty or lack of access to nutritious foods.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of mild malnutrition include fatigue and dizziness. In severe cases, malnutrition may affect certain parts of the body. A lack of calcium, for instance, may lead to a condition known as osteoporosis. Unhealthy amounts of sugar may induce tooth decay. Other symptoms of severe malnutrition depend on the nutrient that is lacking but include decreased liver function, kidney failure, abdominal complications, slowed reaction or abnormal menstrual cycles. If left untreated, many of these conditions may worsen or become permanent. Hunger, on the other hand, is characterized as producing hunger pains. Nicole Davis of Harvard University explains that when food is in the stomach, the muscles produce a wave-like contraction to blend the food with gastric juices for optimal digestion. A stomach that has been empty for several hours produces the same contractions, hence hunger pains. Hunger may also encourage the body to generate less body heat and cause headaches due to low blood glucose levels. Cravings are another common symptom of hunger as the body produces an increased amount of endocannabinoid hormones, which regulate hunger.
Remedies
Hunger that occurs due to dieting or a hectic lifestyle may be relieved by scheduling nutritious meals throughout the day to stabilize blood glucose levels and maintain energy. Replacing nutritionally void snack foods with fruits and vegetables supplies the body with nutrients that not only prevent hunger but also guard against malnutrition. Malnourished individuals should discuss their symptoms with a health care adviser to detect the cause. A doctor may recommend incorporating certain foods into the diet or suggest supplements.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Malnutrition
- World Health Organization: Malnutrition
- National Headache Foundation: The Complete Headache Chart
- MadSci Network; Hunger Pains; Nicole Davis; October 1999
- World Hunger: 2011 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics
- "Africa Recovery"; Malnutrition: The "Silent Emergency"; Frehiwot Bekele; February 1998
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