While everybody has experienced the discomfort of mild hunger at some point, most people living in Canada don’t know the full extent of negative effects that hunger can have on the human body. Along with the negative physical effects, hunger can also lead to serious mental problems.
Kids who are chronically malnourished don’t grow as tall as they should (a condition referred to as stunted growth) and are underweight as well.
The signs and symptoms of malnutrition depend on which nutritional deficiencies a person has, although they can include:
- fatigue and low energy
- dizziness
- poor immune function (which can cause the body to have trouble fighting off infections)
- dry, scaly skin
- swollen and bleeding gums
- decayed teeth
- slowed reaction times and trouble paying attention
- underweight
- growth
- muscle weakness
- bones that break easily
- problems with organ function
- problems learning