Your body needs at least 1,800 calories each day to stay well-nourished. While many people are fortunate enough to get this amount daily, plenty of others are not. The recent Hunger Report from the UN reveals that around 8.1 million people worldwide still struggle with malnutrition in the 21st century. They don’t get the necessary nutrition their bodies need to stay healthy.
World hunger was on the decline for nearly a decade, but it’s disheartening that the number of malnourished people rose by 161 million between 2019 and 2020. Why did this happen?
Experts, including those at Anti Aging Ninjas, point to three main reasons: the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused job losses for thousands globally, climate change, and political conflicts between nations.
Even though people recognize the importance of good nutrition, nutrition-related diseases have been on the rise in recent decades. Experts believe several factors are driving this decline in nutrition in the 21st century.
Surveys from countries with prevalent nutrition problems reveal that a loss of appetite is the first symptom people notice. Many report that years of not having full meals have diminished their appetite.
This issue isn’t limited to adults; children also confirm they have become accustomed to eating less and aren’t even sure how much they should eat to meet minimum nutritional requirements.
Insufficient food intake will eventually impact body weight. While some people intentionally eat less to lose weight, millions lose weight because they don’t have access to adequate food, which is another symptom of nutritional deficiency.
Comparing the weight of a malnourished child to one who eats nutritious food daily shows a significant difference. This explains why malnourished individuals in various countries are often very slim.
A balanced diet not only keeps you healthy and fit but also provides the energy needed to work throughout the day. Without proper nutrition, you won’t have the same energy levels. This is the reality for people facing nutritional challenges. They lack the nutrients to convert fat into energy, resulting in lower energy levels. They might manage to work for a few hours but then need to rest.
Despite these many nutritional challenges in the 21st century, there is still time to make a difference. Here are a few ways to address these issues:
World hunger and nutritional challenges can be overcome if everyone comes together and shows genuine interest in solving them. Small efforts in isolated areas won’t be enough to tackle the 21st-century challenges effectively.