Three Major Differences Between Hunger and Food Insecurity
Contrary to what you may think, “food insecurity” and “hunger” are not interchangeable.
Today, the world is experiencing a major food crisis affecting over 200 million people. Several factors have exacerbated this problem, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, rising inflation, and more. As a result, the term “food insecurity” and the word “hunger” have cropped up in news headlines globally. But contrary to what you may think, “food insecurity” and “hunger” are not interchangeable. Here are three major differences between hunger and food insecurity:
They Mean Different Things
Hunger is defined as a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat, while food insecurity refers to a regular lack of access to “enough safe and nutritious food for normal growth and development and an active and healthy life.”
They Have Different Causes
The causes of hunger include one’s diet, lifestyle factors like exercise and stress, and medications. However, the causes of food insecurity are more systemic, and include poverty, unemployment, or low income, lack of affordable housing, chronic health conditions or lack of access to healthcare, climate change, and systemic racism and racial discrimination.
They Require Different Solutions
So what can we do to alleviate these issues? You can reduce hunger by eating enough protein, eating more fiber-rich foods, drinking plenty of water, and more. But the fight against food insecurity is more complicated. Many of TechnoServe’s clients such as smallholder farmers face seasonal food shortages and the threat of becoming food insecure. It’s why we’ve chosen to help build stronger food systems as part of our mission to fight poverty around the world one person at a time.
Learn more about what we’re doing to improve food systems and how you can help hard-working farmers, entrepreneurs, small business owners, and the communities they support.
FAQs on HUNGER and FOOD SECURITY:
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