Hunger is a condition in which a person feels a strong desire or need to eat. Hunger is not the same as appetite, which is a normal physiological response to needing energy. Appetite involves craving certain foods, while hunger is a more general feeling of needing to eat.
When someone is hungry, it means their body is running low on energy and needs more food. The body signals this by releasing hormones like ghrelin from the stomach. Ghrelin travels to the brain and increases feelings of hunger.
There are many different causes of hunger. Some people may feel hungry all the time due to medical conditions such as diabetes or hypoglycemia. Others may have an eating disorder like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa that causes them to feel hungry even when they’re not physically needy of food. And some people simply don’t have enough food available to them, which can lead to chronic hunger (also called starvation).
No matter what the cause, hunger can have serious consequences on both physical and mental health. Physical effects of hunger include weight loss, fatigue, weakness, and dizziness. If left unchecked, starvation can lead to death. Mental effects of hunger include irritability, anxiety, depression, and difficulty concentrating. Chronic hunger can also impede cognitive development in children and increase the risk for developing mental illness later in life.
Fortunately, there are many organizations working to combat hunger around the world. These organizations provide food assistance through soup kitchens and food pantries, as well as offer long-term solutions such as farming programs and economic development initiatives