WHAT HUNGER IS

The United Nations defines hunger as periods when people are severely food insecure, i.e. go for days at a time without food due to lack of money, access to food or other resources.

Here are some definitions of key terms:

• Hunger is the distress associated with lack of food. The threshold for food deprivation, or undernourishment, is less than 1,800 calories per day.
• Undernutrition goes beyond calories and means a lack of energy, protein and/or essential vitamins and minerals.
• Malnutrition refers more broadly to both undernutrition and overnutrition.
• Food security is related to the availability, access and utilisation of food. When people have consistent and adequate access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to maintain an active and healthy life, they are considered food secure.

Prolonged periods of food insecurity can lead to malnutrition, which occurs when the body lacks the vitamins, minerals and other nutrients it needs to thrive.

Malnutrition, a multi-faceted problem, manifests itself in many ways, including:

• Wasting or acute malnutrition: When a person is too thin for their height. It can occur suddenly, as a result of a severe hunger crisis, or gradually but persistently. It can be treated, but moderate and severe cases carry a higher risk of death.
• Stunting or chronic malnutrition: When a child is too short for their age. It can occur when children do not have access to various nutrients, drink dirty or contaminated water, or lack adequate health care. Stunting in children can cause lifelong physical and cognitive damage.
• Micronutrient deficiencies: When the body lacks a type of vitamin or mineral (e.g. deficiencies of iron, iodine, folate, vitamin A and zinc) necessary for healthy growth and development.
• Overweight: When someone is too heavy for their height. An inadequate diet can lead to overweight, which increases the risk of diet-related non-communicable diseases later in life.