Existing comment:
Why Too Little?
Unequal Access:
Enough food is produced in the world to feed everyone, but it is not distributed equally. Underlying problems of poverty, political dysfunction and lack of access to land and resources contribute to world hunger. Natural disasters and armed conflicts, as well as volatile food prices and trade policies, also play a role.
Hunger in the Americas:
Haiti, Guatemala, Paraguay, Bolivia and Nicaragua have the highest hunger levels in the Americas.
Hunger in Africa:
Although millions remain hungry in sub-Saharan Africa, levels actually have decreased since the 1990s. Investing in small farms can help.
Hunger in Asia:
Most of the world's undernourished people live in Asia, the world's most populous continent -- more than 400 million in India, China, and Pakistan alone.
Hungry:
Hunger levels Top 20 countries:
The hunger level for a particular country is determined by counting the number of people who are undernourished -- for adults that means consuming fewer than 1,800 calories a day -- and dividing by the total population.
Burundi -- 73%
Eritrea -- 65%
Zambia -- 47%
Haiti -- 45%
Ethiopia -- 40%
Mozambique -- 39%
Tanzania -- 39%
Congo -- 37%
Uganda -- 35%
Namibia -- 34%
Chad -- 33%
Zimbabwe -- 33%
North Korea -- 32%
Tajikistan -- 32%
Yemen -- 32%
Liberia -- 31%
Central African Republic -- 30%
Guatemala -- 30%
Kenya -- 30%
Sierra Leone -- 29%
What is food scarcity?
Experts who monitor world hunger use the term "food secure" to mean that enough food is available, people can afford it and get to the place where it is sold or traded, and that it is safe and nutritious.
Even in countries where relatively few are undernourished, getting steady meals can be a challenge for many. In 2011, almost 15 percent of US households were not food secure at some point during the year.
Marketing:
Some food manufacturers promote high-calorie foods that are low in vitamins and minerals. These foods are often inexpensive but high in fat and sugar.
One-two punch:
Some countries face problems of both hunger and obesity, including Egypt (photo). Where undernutrition remains a problem, people are vulnerable to infectious disease. At the same time, with more high-fat, high-sugar and high-calorie foods available, obesity is on the rise -- along with heart disease and diabetes. |