What is hunger?

While many of us may think of hunger as simply the sensation of not feeling full, it is much more complex and far-reaching. Hunger can be a temporary discomfort for some, but for millions worldwide, it is a chronic and life-threatening condition.

What is hunger?

Hunger is when a person lacks access to sufficient food to meet their basic nutritional needs. It is not just the sensation of an empty stomach, but being deprived of the essential food and nutrients required to sustain health, energy and well-being.

Hunger becomes chronic when a person has a continued and prolonged period without consuming sufficient calories. For millions around the world, hunger is a daily reality that affects their ability to lead a productive and fulfilling life.

What is food insecurity?

When a person cannot consistently access enough‌ nutritious food to lead an active and healthy life, it’s classed as food insecurity. The IPC Acute Food Insecurity Scale classifies food security into five phases, ranging from minimal (when households can meet their food needs) to famine (a complete lack of access to food). Food insecurity is a major global issue, affecting over 800 million people worldwide. 

What is malnutrition?

Malnutrition occurs when the body does not get enough nutrients, because of a lack of access to food, poor food choices, or an inability to absorb nutrients. Malnutrition doesn’t just highlight the importance of food, but also the importance of the right quality food.

There are two types of malnutrition that exist. 

Undernutrition

Undernutrition is when the body doesn't receive enough proteins, vitamins or minerals. It can lead to numerous health conditions, including wasting, stunting and fatigue.

Overnutrition

Overnutrition occurs when a person consumes too many nutrients, particularly from unhealthy foods, leading to an imbalance in their diet. This can cause obesity and associated health problems like diabetes and heart disease. Overnutrition is increasingly seen in areas that also suffer from food insecurity.

What are the effects of hunger?

Physical health

Hunger can cause a wide range of health problems. If a person has endured long-term calorie-deficit, or has gone 48 hours or more without any food at all, the body will enter ‘starvation mode’ where it burns through glucose. It will then enter ketosis, where it uses up any fat stores for energy. The most common effect of this on the body’s health is malnutrition; weight loss, muscle loss, fatigue and a weakened immune system, which makes individuals more vulnerable to diseases and infections. 

Mental health

Not knowing where your next meal is going to come from, or constantly worrying about how you will feed your family, can be incredibly stressful. Mental health conditions associated with hunger include depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Child development

The effects of hunger on children can occur before a child is even born. The time during pregnancy and the first couple of years of a child’s life is incredibly important for physical growth and cognitive development. Malnutrition or poor diet of pregnant mothers can cause anaemia, miscarriage, premature birth, stunted growth or early infant mortality. Shockingly, nearly half of all child deaths worldwide are from causes related to hunger and malnutrition.

Children who experience hunger also struggle to concentrate in school, leading to poor academic performance and lower educational attainment.

Economic issues

Many adults suffering from hunger often cannot work effectively, reducing their productivity and creating a cycle of poverty and food insecurity.

Social instability

When large geographic areas or segments of a population face hunger, the resulting social unrest can exacerbate conflict, creating further challenges for communities trying to overcome it.

What are the causes of hunger?

There is enough food produced to feed everyone in the world, yet over 800 million people are facing hunger around the world. Why is this?

The causes of hunger are multifaceted and interconnected; influenced by various social, economic and environmental factors:

Poverty

Nearly 10% of the world population lives in poverty. People living in poverty simply don’t have enough money to buy food, or enough land/resources to grow their own. Even in countries where food is available, the gap between income and the cost of living can prevent people from accessing nutritious meals. Poverty leads to food insecurity, and ‌the effects of hunger hampers their ability to work and improve their economic situation.

Conflict and war

Wars and political instability displace millions of people, disrupting food production and distribution. Many farmers lose access to their land, leaving crops unharvested and livestock abandoned. The disruption or destruction of infrastructure, including transportation routes and markets, makes it difficult for food to reach the people who need it. Additionally, governments in conflict areas may lack the resources to provide necessary support for their populations, worsening food insecurity.

Climate change

Climate change is playing an increasingly dangerous role in global hunger. Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and hurricanes can devastate crops, livestock and livelihoods. For farmers who rely on the stability of seasonal patterns, climate disruptions make food production unpredictable. In areas that are already vulnerable, even minor changes in rainfall or temperature can have catastrophic effects on the food supply.

Gender inequality

Gender inequality is another significant driver of hunger, particularly in rural and agricultural communities. Women make up a large proportion of the agricultural workforce, but they often have limited access to education, employment opportunities and the chance of owning property or land. In many societies, women are also responsible for feeding their families, yet they face barriers in obtaining food and income. Empowering women and ensuring they have equal access to resources can lead to better food security, as studies show that when women have more control over income, children are more likely to be fed and educated.

Poor agricultural infrastructure

In many parts of the world, insufficient infrastructure makes it difficult to produce, store, and distribute food effectively. A lack of modern farming equipment, inadequate roads, and limited access to markets means that even when food is available, it can’t always reach those who need it.

Food waste

More than a third of the world’s food is wasted or lost each year; a staggering amount that would comfortably go to feeding everyone suffering from hunger. This waste occurs throughout the food supply chain, from farming and transportation to retailers and consumers. Reducing food waste could play a significant role in redirecting resources to those who need it most.

How can we tackle the hunger crisis?

Tackling the hunger crisis requires a multifaceted approach, which includes global collaboration, reducing food waste, improving food distribution, supporting struggling communities and countries, and addressing poverty and inequality. 

At SCIAF, we are already working in many of the poorest countries to ensure families have access to food and financial support, receive necessary tools and training to grow their own food and provide support to help people save money and diversify their income. 

With your support, we can continue working with our local partners in countries around the world to tackle hunger.