Your body needs at least 1,800 calories each day to stay healthy. While many people are lucky enough to get this amount daily, there are still many who don’t. According to a recent UN Hunger Report, as many as 8.1 million people worldwide are malnourished, not getting the nutrition they need to stay fit and healthy.
After nearly a decade of decline, world hunger has sadly increased, with 161 million more people becoming malnourished or undernourished between 2019 and 2020. Why did this happen? Experts point to three main reasons: the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in job losses for many people globally, climate change, and political conflicts among nations.
Despite the importance placed on good nutrition, nutrition-related diseases have risen in recent decades. Several factors contribute to the deterioration of nutrition in the 21st century. Surveys in countries facing nutrition challenges show that a decreased appetite is the first symptom people experience, often due to not having full meals for years.
This issue affects both adults and children. Many children have grown accustomed to eating less and are unaware of how much they should consume to meet the minimum nutrition levels.
Lack of sufficient food eventually affects body weight. While many people choose to eat less to lose weight, millions lose weight simply because they lack access to adequate food, making it a clear sign of nutrition deficiency. You can see this difference starkly when comparing a malnourished child with one who eats a nutritious diet daily.
A proper diet not only keeps you healthy and fit but also provides the energy needed to work throughout the day. Without this diet, people lack the energy to work efficiently. Those with nutrition challenges can’t sustain the same energy levels as healthy individuals; they may only work a few hours before needing to rest because their bodies lack the nutrients to generate energy.
Despite these significant nutrition challenges, it’s still possible to make a change. By coming together and focusing on the issue, world hunger and nutrition deficiencies can be addressed. A concerted global effort is required to overcome these challenges in the 21st century.
