Hunger
• Hunger is a recurrent, involuntary lack of access to food. Hunger may produce malnutrition over time.
• Dietz, W.H., & Trowbridge, F.L. (1990, August). Symposium on the identification and prevalence of undernutrition in the United States: Introduction. The Journal of Nutrition, 120(8), 917-918. (p. 917).
Malnutrition
Inappropriate nutrient consumption Impairment of physical and mental
health for an individual Low productivity for communities
Undernutrition (general)
Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM)Mild—stunting, underweightSevere—reduced head
circumference, wasting, starvation Hidden hungers (vitamin and mineral
deficiencies)
Wasting and Starvation
Wasting—person seriously below the normal weight for her or his height due to lack of food
Starvation—person exhibits extreme or prolonged lack of food
Deterioration and ultimate death
Hidden Hungers
May have adequate protein and calories
Lack vitamins and mineralsIodine deficiency disorders (IDD)Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) Iron-deficiency anemia (IDA)
Vitamin A
Reproduction Growth and cellular
differentiation Development of
mucus-forming cells
Resistance to infection
Xerophthalmia