A bulging stomach. A boney frame. That’s what many people imagine when they think about the impact of hunger on the body. And it’s true, extreme hunger and malnourishment can have that effect. But have you ever wondered what will be the effect of extreme hunger on one’s mind?
Yet, hunger can also affect the mind and body in ways that are less visible but just as devastating. For many people who struggle with hunger, this reality makes an impact on their lives every day.
Facing hunger can be stressful but you can contribute to social good by feeding the hungry. Constantly worrying about where your next meal will come from can cause mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and even posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The inability to feed your loved ones can have traumatic effects on a person’s mental health. We, at Akshaya Chaitanya, are on a mission to donate food to the poor and those in need.
The feeling of hunger is an inseparable part of people’s daily lives. It has been established that hunger, caused by food deprivation, influences people’s physiological and emotional state and their everyday behaviour. Yet, it remains unclear whether and in which manner food deprivation affects the way people perceive their environment. While feeding the poor and underprivileged population in the city of Mumbai, we realised that if hunger is satiated, people can have the opportunity to build their lives.
Children who go hungry may experience a number of adversities that are likely to impact on their physical and emotional wellbeing. However there is evidence to suggest that hunger and malnutrition by itself may impact on children’s mental health. There are so many who take up the noble cause of giving food for free, especially to the street kids or the slum children. At Akshaya Chaitanya, we deliver fresh and hot meals to children who attend school on wheels at 3 locations across the city.
A survey of American children from low-income families reported that those who experienced frequent hunger were more likely to have emotional, behavioural and academic problems than children from the same low-income communities who didn’t experience hunger. These associations were particularly strong for aggression and anxiety.
A study in Bombay found that 129 children who had suffered early malnourishment had lower IQ and a 60% rate of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) compared to 15% in control children from the same classrooms. It is of concern that these problems persisted into adulthood.
Our brains are made up of essential nutrients and it relies on both macronutrients (fat, carbohydrates, protein) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) for its structure and function.
It is well known that severe nutritional deficiency can have a range of negative effects for our brains. For instance iodine was discovered as the most preventable cause of severe mental retardation and brain damage.
However, even mild to moderate iodine deficiency has been associated with lower cognitive performance. Low folate levels may be associated with depression and suboptimal nutrient levels in children may contribute to symptoms of ADHD. While omega-3 fatty acids may improve mental health across the lifespan.
Apart from feeding the hungry children, we also donate food to poor patients admitted in the Government run hospitals in Mumbai. Our hospital feeding in Mumbai happens across 5 public hospitals and not only the patients but also their relatives are served with freshly cooked lunch meals everyday.
Support our dream of eradicating hunger from this city by donating generously so that we can continue giving food for free to everyone who struggles to arrange their next meal.
To donate, visit Donate to Akshaya Chaitanya | Donate Online