High Levels Of Hunger Research Articles

No Effect of Hunger on the Memory of Food Images and Prices

Abstract Purpose Food acquisition is an adaptive problem resolved via both physiological and psychological processes. Hunger could serve as a coordinating mechanism for these processes. When hunger increases, it may be beneficial to shift cognitive resources away from other adaptive problems and towards functions that increase the chances of acquiring food, such as memory for food information. However, there is limited research exploring the impacts of hunger on food-related memory, and the results are mixed. We conducted two studies investigating whether increased hunger levels improve memory for food images and prices – but not non-food images and prices – in image recognition and price recall tasks, respectively. Methods Study 1 was an online, observational study (N = 91) using self-reported hunger as a continuous measure. Study 2 was an in-person, between-subjects interventional study (N = 102) where participants were randomly allocated to a hungry or sated condition. We predicted that higher levels of hunger would improve participants’ ability to discriminate between food images they have and have not seen before and correctly recall food prices. Results We found no evidence of a hunger-related memory enhancement for food stimuli in either study in image recognition or price recall tasks. Conclusion Our findings contrast with older research but support more recent work, suggesting that the effect of hunger on food memory may be sensitive to study design and not as broadly generalisable as first thought.

Impact of floods on food security in rural Afghanistan

Floods, affecting roughly one million Afghans annually and causing substantial economic losses, is one of the most frequent disasters. This study examines the impacts of floods on household food security in rural Afghanistan, where 80 % of the population relies on subsistence farming and consists of 80 % of the food-insecure population. Based on the 2022 Data in Emergency Monitoring Round 5 dataset, a two-stage least squares with an instrumental variable is applied to analyze the relationship, considering district altitude and unconditional aid. Our findings reveal the negative impacts of floods, i.e., flood exposure decreases the Food Consumption Score (FCS) by 7.1 points and the Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) by 0.14 points. Additionally, flood exposure increases the Household Hunger Scale (HHS) by 0.77 points and significantly raises the probability of moderate and severe food insecurity by 11 % and 20 %, respectively. Food aid offers a lifeline, boosting FCS by 1.54 points and reducing HHS by 0.42 points while mitigating food insecurity risks. High-altitude areas experience greater vulnerability, with higher hunger levels and lower dietary diversity compared to lowlands. Our research suggests prioritizing preventative strategies like area-based policies and flood preparedness plans over solely relying on post-disaster relief initiatives. Additionally, accounting for topographical variations, at least at the district level, is crucial for future food security studies in Afghanistan and similar contexts. These findings hold significant implications for achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 13 (Climate Action).

Mental health and weight regain after bariatric surgery: associations between weight regain and psychiatric and eating-related comorbidities.

Weight regain is a common outcome of weight loss interventions. Mental health-related comorbidities, among other factors, can mediate weight regain regardless of the implemented treatment modality. This study explores whether postoperative psychopathological comorbidities are associated with weight regain after bariatric surgery. This cross-sectional study recruited 90 outpatients who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Anthropometric measurements were collected retrospectively from medical charts. The Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder-IV (DSM-IV) Axis I Disorders (SCID-I) was applied to evaluate psychiatry diagnoses. Validated self-report instruments were used to assess depression, anxiety, alcohol use, impulsivity, binge eating, and body image dissatisfaction. Weight regain was defined as a ≥20% increase from the maximum weight lost. Level of evidence: Level III, cross-sectional study based on a well-designed study. Overall, 55.6% of participants experienced weight regain. Notably, mental disorders such as current binge-eating disorder and lifetime diagnoses including bulimia nervosa, alcohol abuse/dependence, and obsessive-compulsive disorder were significantly associated with weight regain. However, controlled analysis found that, for mental disorders, only current binge-eating disorder (odds ratio [OR] 6.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-31.06, p = 0.024) remained associated with weight regain. Eating-related psychopathologies also associated with weight regain included binge eating (d = 0.55; p = 0.013), eating disinhibition (d = 0.76; p = 0.001), higher hunger levels (d = 0.39; p = 0.004), and non-planning trait impulsivity (d = 0.69; p = 0.0001). Postoperative presence of psychopathological comorbidities, such as eating psychopathology and trait impulsivity, were associated with weight regain after bariatric surgery. These findings highlight the importance of addressing mental health in individuals experiencing postsurgical weight regain.

Lessons from a time of upheaval: COVID‐19 in South Asia

AbstractNumerous structural vulnerabilities put developing regions at a disadvantage as they confront the prospect of increasingly frequent extreme shocks. Typical of these regions, South Asia had several characteristics that suggested it would be badly hit by COVID‐19: a sizeable informal sector, growing inequalities in access to health services and social protection, and high levels of hunger and malnutrition. This Special Issue focuses on the South Asian experience through COVID‐19 and distills forward‐looking lessons for the developing world. Included papers point to the importance of strengthening individual resilience, building basic infrastructure and institutional capacity, and implementing inclusive social protection measures.

Hunger, temptation, and dietary adherence during weight management

Preliminary evidence suggests that hunger and temptation may predict nonadherence to dietary intake goals; however, no studies have investigated the potential interaction between hunger and temptation in relation to dietary nonadherence nor have any investigated whether these associations may be different after the end of active behavioral intervention. Thus, the current study examined the week-to-week associations between hunger, temptation, and dietary adherence in 74 adults with overweight or obesity (mean ± SD age = 50.7 ± 10.4, BMI = 31.2 ± 4.5 kg/m2) enrolled in a 12-week, Internet-based weight loss program followed by a 40-week post-intervention observational maintenance period. Each week during the study, participants completed a questionnaire on which they rated their hunger, temptation, and dietary adherence on 7-point scales. Multilevel models demonstrated that higher levels of hunger and temptation were associated with lower ratings of dietary adherence during the same week, ps < 0.0001, such that 1-point higher ratings of hunger or temptation were associated with 0.2- and 0.5-point lower ratings of dietary adherence, respectively. Further, there was an interaction between hunger and temptation such that the association between temptation and dietary nonadherence was stronger when ratings of hunger were lower, p = .028. There were no differences in associations between the initial weight loss period and the maintenance period. Results suggest that hunger and temptation may serve as potential treatment targets for interventions aimed at improving adherence to dietary intake goals. Future studies should investigate whether interventions targeting hunger and temptation can improve dietary adherence and weight loss outcomes.

Mean Temperature and Drought Projections in Central Africa: A Population-Based Study of Food Insecurity, Childhood Malnutrition and Mortality, and Infectious Disease.

The Central African Region is an agricultural and fishing-based economy, with 40% of the population living in rural communities. The negative impacts of climate change have caused economic/health-related adverse impacts and food insecurity. This original article aims to research four key themes: (i) acute food insecurity (AFI); (ii) childhood malnutrition and mortality; (iii) infectious disease burden; and (iv) drought and mean temperature projections throughout the twenty-first century. Food insecurity was mapped in Central Africa based on the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) for AFI. The global hunger index (GHI) was presented along with the proportion of children with undernourishment, stunting, wasting, and mortality. Data for infectious disease burden was computed by assessing the adjusted rate of change (AROC) of mortality due to diarrhea among children and the burden of death rates due to pneumonia across all age groups. Finally, the mean drought index was computed through the year 2100. This population-based study identifies high levels of hunger across a majority of the countries, with the mean drought index suggesting extreme ends of wet and dry days and an overall rise of 1-3 °C. This study is a source of evidence for stakeholders, policymakers, and the population residing in Central Africa.

Food insecurity, hunger, stress, and homelessness among young adults.

Compared to the effects of stress on hunger, the temporal effect of hunger on stress levels is less understood, especially in the context of everyday lives of vulnerable populations with unstable access to food. Our objective was to examine the effects of food insecurity and momentary hunger on momentary stress and stress variability in a sample of currently and formerly homeless young adults. We used a 7-day ecological momentary assessment study querying affect, hunger, and risky behaviors. A mixed-effects location scale model was used to examine the effects of hunger on mean levels and within- and between-subjects variability of stress with 100 currently homeless and 69 formerly homeless young adults ages 18-29 in Los Angeles County, California. When individuals experienced greater-than-average hunger, they then experienced greater stress variability at the next prompt, showing the impact of hunger on stress at the momentary level. Those with higher average levels of stress, regardless of hunger, became substantially more stressed when becoming hungry compared to their generally less stressed counterparts. The study shows the extent to which food insecurity results in erratic stress among vulnerable populations and how high levels of hunger may lead to a more inconsistent stress response. Findings reinforce the need for more mental health services and food programs for young adults who have experienced homelessness. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Квашиоркор: патофизиологические аспекты и пути решения проблемы

Kwashiorkor is a form of severe protein-energy malnutrition known since 1995. It is observed worldwide in regions with high levels of hunger and poverty, especially where the diet consists primarily of carbohydrate-rich foods. This pathology has been reported among hundreds of thousands of children in the world. The clinical presentation of kwashiorkor resembles the symptoms of essential amino acid deficiency, which suggests that not only protein malnutrition, but also disorders of the methionine cycle take part in the pathogenesis of the disease. The study of capillary ultrastructure has shown that edema is the result of increased permeability of microvessels to protein macromolecules, including albumin. Plasma proteins are usually retained in the intravascular space by the endothelial glycocalyx, damage to which leads to edema. Oxidative stress contributes to lower levels of vitamin E and glutathione. An imbalance between the levels of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants leads to mitochondrial damage, which reduces ATP production and impairs liver function. Mitochondrial dysfunction and ATP depletion together with nutrient deficiency may contribute to the development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Three clinical parameters are used to assess the severity of kwashiorkor: mid-arm muscle circumference, body mass index, and the presence of localized symmetric edema. In the absence of timely treatment in the early stages, children may have serious complications, including shock, coma, physical and mental disorders. Normalization of physiological and metabolic functions in patients with kwashiorkor is a complex task. The three-step approach to treating children with severe protein-energy malnutrition recommended by the World Health Organization includes stabilization, rehabilitation, and recurrence prevention. The prognosis in the absence of treatment is unfavorable. Key words: protein-energy malnutrition, kwashiorkor, children

THE CONSEQUENCES OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON DIET AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Aim:The COVID-19 pandemic has had major consequences on our habits and style of living. For this study, an online questionnaire was conducted online, with a total of 103 participants. This survey aimed to determine the pandemic's implications on nutrition and behavior patterns. Results: During quarantine, the feelings of hunger and satiety did suffer changes: 17% of the cases reported a decrease, compared to the vast majority (55%), who experienced high levels of hunger. Three-quarters of participants reported either an enhanced or at least a similar intake of main meals and snacks between meals. Boredom and stress proved to be the central factors determining these results. When the participants were asked about the level of physical activity, a small number answered that the frequency of training grew. Meanwhile, the subjects who moved occasionally had more time to do it at home. Most of the participants (75%) stated that the length of leisure time was "more than sufficient". Conclusion: As the pandemic is still ongoing, more research should be made on a larger population, to obtain more accurate results.

Food Insecurity and Malnutrition in Rural Tanzania: Mapping Perceptions for Social Learning

ABSTRACT In Tanzania, a high level of hunger persists. Several factors compound a complex scenario of food insecurity. Contextual aspects at the community level can influence the maintenance of the vulnerable local conditions. This article aims to better understand these aspects by investigating community problem perceptions in n = 04 remote rural villages in Tanzania. Furthermore, how to include community perceptions as a pedagogical element of food security projects is discussed. The methodology consists of three steps: preparatory exploration; household survey (n = 663); and pedagogical workshops (n = 270). The main results indicate that inhabitants of the four villages identify and describe their problems differently. We discovered food insecurity’s hidden factors. Community problem perceptions and local knowledge play fundamental roles in critical food security, despite the environmental conditions’ effect (lack of infrastructure, water scarcity). The pedagogical process of Codification and Decoding of hunger situations can generate more effective educational programs for social learning.

Impulsive Sports Betting: The Effects of Food or Substance Consumption.

The present study aimed to explore how food or substance consumption (e.g., experiencing hunger, or having consumed alcohol or recreational drugs) could shape consumer impulsive spending on sports betting products. Based on a large online sample of Australian sports bettors, we found that participants with higher hunger level, or having consumed more alcohol or recreational drugs, tended to have increased impulsive bet size. These impulsiveness effects had both direct and indirect effect components. The significant direct effects confirmed that positive relationships directly existed between hunger, alcohol consumption, or recreational drug consumption and impulsive bet size, even when all potential mediators and covariates were statistically controlled. Moreover, results regarding specific indirect effects demonstrated that hunger, alcohol consumption, or recreational drug consumption was also indirectly linked with impulsive bet size, via their relationships with both promotional and financial influences, rather than social influences. Furthermore, participants' Problem Gambling Severity Index score was positively associated with their impulsive bet size. These findings support and complement the literature on impulsivity as well as the research on strategies for staying in control of gambling, and have implications for consumers, regulators, and treatment/help providers.

Ubóstwo i bogactwo jako dwa antagonizmy gospodarki światowej XXI wieku

Celem opracowania było udowodnienie występowania rozbieżności i rozwarstwień w gospodarce światowej oraz przedstawienie propozycji rozwiązania problemu. Miernikami analizy stały się m.in. wskaźniki takie jak PKB per capita, średni poziom płac, miernik rozwoju społecznego HDI, poziom odczuwania szczęścia mierzony miernikiem HPI, występowanie głodu czy wielkość zasobów wody pitnej. Największe zróżnicowanie widoczne jest na płaszczyźnie materialnej. Można powiedzieć, że istnieją dwie rzeczywistości. W jednej panuje dostatek i zamożność. W drugiej przewodzą bieda, głód i choroby. Państwa wysoko rozwinięte żyją coraz dostatniej, a regiony słabo rozwinięte popadają w jeszcze większą nędzę. Wysoki poziom głodu, niedobór wody pitnej oraz niskie dochody są fundamentalnymi elementami opisującymi kraje dzisiejszej Afryki Środkowej i Azji Południowej. Wynikiem badania i analizy jest potwierdzenie występowania olbrzymich dysproporcji między poziomem życia w krajach słabo rozwiniętych a zamożnymi regionami Europy Zachodniej czy Ameryki Północnej. Beznadziejna sytuacja ubogich regionów wymaga pomocy organizacji międzynarodowych oraz innych krajów. Dobrze przemyślany program pomocowy jest w stanie zmniejszyć problem ubóstwa. Utworzenie funduszu wspierającego podmioty chcące zainwestować kapitał w krajach najuboższych wydawać się może rozsądnym konceptem. Redukcja bądź zwolnienie z opodatkowania prowadzenia działalności gospodarczych w tych regionach może być dodatkową zachętą wsparcia. Bez jakichkolwiek działań pomocowych ubogie kraje w niedalekiej przyszłości upadną i przestaną istnieć.

Calorie disclosure and color-coding on QSR menus: A multi-method approach using eye-tracking technology, grouping and surveys

ABSTRACTSeveral attempts have been made to assess the efficacy of healthy menu labeling with mixed findings. Recent studies have focused mainly on traditional survey techniques; the present study focused on the effects and relationships of disclosure of calories and color-coding as well as the role of gender, hunger level, quick service restaurant (QSR) dining frequency and calorie consciousness using eye-tracking technology, surveys and qualitative results. Based on these techniques, results indicated relatively equal effects for calorie disclosure and color-coding treatments, but when calorie information was provided QSR menu selections changed to less caloric choices when participants had higher hunger levels, were less frequent QSR diners and when calorie information in menus was deemed as higher importance by participants.

Egg size, begging behaviour and offspring fitness in Nicrophorus vespilloides

Egg size reflects the amount of energy that female parents have invested in their offspring prior to hatching, and is thus often used as a proxy for prehatching investment. According to life history theory, prehatching investment, in turn, trades off with posthatching investment, as the amount of resources allocated at the prehatching stage diminishes the resources available at the posthatching stage. As small eggs have smaller energy reserves than large eggs, the offspring originating from small eggs may have higher hunger levels, and thus beg more, offering the parents information about the need for more posthatching care. However, little is known about the relationship between egg size and begging behaviour, and the fitness correlates of the two. In this study, we directly investigated the association between these two traits in the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespilloides. Concurrently, we examined the effects of egg size on two components of offspring fitness: offspring growth and survival. We found no association between egg size and offspring begging behaviour. Egg size did, however, show a mostly positive, albeit indirect, association with offspring fitness traits (development time, size and survival). Therefore, an increase in egg size does have an impact on offspring fitness, but this impact is not mediated through offspring begging. To our knowledge, this is the first time the relationship between egg size and begging behaviour has been investigated directly.

Implications of Genetically Modified Crops and Intellectual Property Rights on Agriculture in Developing Countries

AbstractFood is essential for human survival. When the right quantity and quality is taken, it ensures growth and an adequate supply of nutrition to the body, which results in basic effectiveness in all spheres of life. Genetically modified crops have the potential to alleviate hunger and provide more food, especially in developing countries that have high levels of hunger, malnutrition and poverty. Although the debates on genetically modified crops generally focus on intellectual property, other issues include health and environmental concerns. This article examines these issues with the aim of providing holistic knowledge of the subject matter, which is important for stakeholders, particularly in developing countries, in deciding to protect plant variety rights. The article concludes that it is essential for developing countries to consider food security issues in fulfilling their obligations under the TRIPS Agreement.

A Plant Bacterial Pathogen Manipulates Its Insect Vector's Energy Metabolism.

Insect-transmitted plant-pathogenic bacteria may alter their vectors' fitness, survival, behavior, and metabolism. Because these pathogens interact with their vectors on the cellular and organismal levels, potential changes at the biochemical level might occur. "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas) is transmitted in a persistent, circulative, and propagative manner. The genome of CLas revealed the presence of an ATP translocase that mediates the uptake of ATP and other nucleotides from medium to achieve its biological processes, such as growth and multiplication. Here, we showed that the levels of ATP and many other nucleotides were significantly higher in CLas-infected than healthy psyllids. Gene expression analysis showed upregulation for ATP synthase subunits, while ATPase enzyme activity showed a decrease in ATPase activity. These results indicated that CLas stimulated Diaphorina citri to produce more ATP and many other energetic nucleotides, while it may inhibit their consumption by the insect. As a result of ATP accumulation, the adenylated energy charge (AEC) increased and the AMP/ATP and ADP/ATP ratios decreased in CLas-infected D. citri psyllids. Survival analysis confirmed a shorter life span for CLas-infected D. citri psyllids. In addition, electropenetrography showed a significant reduction in total nonprobing time, salivation time, and time from the last E2 (phloem ingestion) to the end of recording, indicating that CLas-infected psyllids were at a higher hunger level and they tended to forage more often. This increased feeding activity reflects the CLas-induced energetic stress. In conclusion, CLas alters the energy metabolism of its psyllid vector, D. citri, in order to secure its need for energetic nucleotides.IMPORTANCE Insect transmission of plant-pathogenic bacteria involves propagation and circulation of the bacteria within their vectors. The transmission process is complex and requires specific interactions at the molecular and biochemical levels. The growth of the plant-pathogenic bacteria in the hemolymph of their vectors indicated that the hemolymph contains all the necessary nutrients for their growth. In addition to nutrients, "Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus" (CLas) can take up energetic nucleotides, such as ATP, from its vector, Diaphorina citri, using ATP translocase. In this study, we found that the CLas pathogen manipulates the energy metabolism of its insect vector. The accumulation of ATP in CLas-infected D. citri psyllids indicated that CLas induces ATP production to fulfill its need for this energetic compound. As a result of ATP accumulation, a shorter life span and altered feeding behavior were observed. These findings increase our knowledge of insect transmission of the persistent-circulative-propagative type of plant pathogens vectored by insects.

Association between sleep stages and hunger scores in 36 children

Childhood obesity is a growing health challenge. Recent studies show that children with late bedtime and late awakening are more obese independent of total sleep time. In adolescents and adults, a delayed sleep phase has been associated with higher caloric intake. Furthermore, an adult study showed a positive correlation between REM sleep and energy balance. This relationship has not been demonstrated in children. However, it may be important as a delayed sleep phase would increase the proportion of REM sleep. This study investigated the relationship between hunger score and sleep physiology in a paediatric population. Thirty-six patients referred for a polysomnogram for suspected obstructive sleep apnoea were enrolled in the study. Sleep stages were recorded as part of the polysomnogram. Hunger scores were obtained using a visual analogue scale. Mean age was 9.6 ± 3.5 years. Mean hunger scores were 2.07 ± 2.78. Hunger scores were positively correlated with percentage of total rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (r = 0.438, P < 0.01) and REM sleep duration in minutes (r = 0.471, P < 0.05). Percentage slow wave sleep (SWS) was negatively correlated with hunger score (r = -0.360, P < 0.05). There were no correlations between age, sex, body mass index percentiles, apnoea-hypopnoea index, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, sleep onset latency, stage 2 sleep duration and hunger scores. These findings suggest that delayed bedtime, which increases the proportion of REM sleep and decreases the proportion of SWS, results in higher hunger levels in children.

Comparison of rating, best–worst scaling, and adolescents’ real choices of snacks

Despite great power on the consumer market, adolescents are an overlooked segment in sensory and consumer science. This segments’ ability to master different sensory and consumer tests have not been studied. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of adolescents’ use of best–worst scaling and rating of 21 different snacks by investigating these methods’ predictability of adolescents’ real choice of snacks. 387 Danish adolescents (11–16years old) participated. Rating and best–worst scaling were both able to predict real choice of snack on an individual level but rating performed best. However, best–worst scaling showed greater sample discrimination. With regards to easiness, the adolescents found rating the easiest to perform. The adolescents’ real choice of snacks and background data showed that boys reported a high level of hunger and chose baked savory and sweet snacks, whereas girls chose fruit snacks. Best–worst scaling was found more time consuming to work with, both during the experiment as well as during data handling before data analysis.

Nutritional status assessment of school children in Mangalore city using the multicenter growth reference study WHO 2007 Z-scores

Context: One of the the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is the reduction of maternal and child mortality. The 'green revolution' has increased food supply in Asia, and hunger and under nutrition have been decreasing since 1981. However, instead of having to deal with surplus food grain, South Asia and India are still facing high levels of hunger. Although some south Indian cities are witnessing a technology boom, one in every 11 children die within the first 5 years of their lives either due to malnutrition or due to non availability of even simple technology and health care. Aim: To assess the nutritional status of schoolchildrenin Mangalore city. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: A total 1630 students from 11 schools were enrolled for the study. The sample size was calculated assuming the prevalence of undernourished in Mangalore city as 20% and a relative precision of 10%. Statistical Analysis: The BMI (body mass index), Z-scores, and World Health Organization (WHO) Multicentric Growth Reference Study (MGRS) growth chart was used for analysis. Results: Our study population of 1630 students comprised 830 (50.9%) males and 800 (49.1%) females. On analysis, 82 children (5.03%) were found to be undernourished, 37 (2.3%) were overweight, and 16 (1%) were obese. Undernourishment was more prevalent in boys (6.87%) than in girls (3.12%).Obesity was marginally higher among males (1.2%) as compared to females (0.8%) (P=0.003). A total of 15 boys (1.8%) and 22 girls (2.8%) were found to be overweight. Conclusions: The nutritional status of the students in our study is better than has been found in other studies. However, there are cases of under nourishment that need attention. At the same time, there is a need to deal with obesity and overweight in schoolchildren in order to prevent the impending epidemic of noncommunicable disease.

If not the Millennium Development Goals, then what?

Even if the MDGs are achieved, the world will still face unacceptably high levels of hunger, morbidity, mortality and illiteracy beyond 2015. Global targets can be drivers of change. The debate about the post-2015 framework should not be about the usefulness of global targets but about their improved architecture and enhanced relevance. After reviewing the good, the bad and the ugly that have happened since the MDGs were created, this article discusses several challenges and pitfalls in the process of defining the post-2015 framework, including the need to formulate the MDGs more clearly as global targets, to maintain their measurability, to focus on ends, to embed equality of opportunity, to include interim targets, and to conduct global summitry differently so as to make it better fit for purpose. A Peer & Partner Group is proposed as the global custodian of the MDGs in order to reduce undue donorship.