thesis statement about world hunger has many causes and effects

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What Causes Hunger?

The root causes of global hunger.

The planet produces enough food to feed everyone on earth. Yet more than 3 billion people can’t afford to eat a healthy diet.

Interconnected issues of poverty, inequity, conflict, climate change, gender discrimination, and weak government and health systems all play a role in keeping nutritious food out of reach for millions of families around the world.

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When children don’t have enough food, their brains and bodies suffer. It stops them from growing, learning, and working – from reaching their full potential. Without treatment, severe hunger can take children’s lives.

It doesn’t have to be this way: hunger is predictable, preventable, and treatable. With the right tools, we can save the lives of malnourished children and help them get the nutritious food they need to thrive. We can create a world free from hunger, for everyone, for good – first, we must tackle its root causes.

Why Does Hunger Happen?

Power determines who eats and who goes hungry, who lives and who dies.

Climate Change

The climate crisis is driving hunger and malnutrition around the world.

Seventy-five percent of the world’s malnourished people live in conflict zones.

Disasters & Emergencies

Humanitarian emergencies disrupt and destroy livelihoods for millions of people.

Extreme poverty, lack of sufficient food, and hunger are inextricably linked.

Dirty Water & Unsafe Sanitation

Without clean water, illnesses like diarrhea, parasites, and intestinal inflammation can prevent children from absorbing key nutrients and make them more susceptible to malnutrition.

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World hunger essay thesis writing

What does have the dependency theory deal with the world hunger?

Thesis Statement:

No matter how wealthy is the First World the problem of hunger and death in “underdeveloped” countries is not to be forgotten.

World Hunger Essay

Introduction.”Another year of poor agricultural production has left… in urgent need of food aid” – this is one of those titles that are ordinarily seen in the last updates on the situation in “developing” countries. The crisis, which these countries find themselves in, seems to be never-ending and only aggregating from year to year with rare improvements. No wonder that so many people nowadays live beyond the borderline to poverty and do not have basic needs in order to survive. Global stratification has put these counties in the lowest division and has called them “Third World countries” or if to speak in financial terms “low-income nations”. Second World nations are nations with moderate development patterns. The major condition in order to belong to the First World is wealth. This hierarchy is inevitable as it reflects the nature of relations between the nations of the world. According the UN data – 1 billion people suffer from starvation. That is a great number of people as it is 1\6 of the population of the planet. So, no matter how wealthy is the First World the problem of hunger and death in “underdeveloped” countries is not to be forgotten. Different theories-interpretations of the global stratification in their context offer suggestions of these “poor” nations.

Modernization Theory vs. Dependency Theory

The welfare programs would allow women to prevent their children from early labor and children would start schooling and therefore becoming valuable professionals. The contemporary economic world requires changes and people and nations that are not eager to take the advantages that other countries offer in order to become “attractive” for financial inputs are doomed. Another important factor is the necessity to maintain the fertility on the same level, which means – sexual education for the populations of these counties.

Conclusion. Of course the word ”dependency” produces the discontent of various nations. Nevertheless, the modernization approach also offers dependency, as its core is an external stimulus, too. Any help may b interpreted as dependency because without it no changes would have been done. But is it really so? The modernizations of the dependency theories are “two sides of the same coin”[]. The nations that are not so advanced as the First World countries need to realize that simple technological help is not sufficient in order to maintain the development of the country on a proper level. Such fields as education and politics need to prosper, too. And if they can be developed in exchange for using these counties as a supplier of raw materials then why not? The prevention of World Hunger can be set through “mutual dependency” that can be accumulated from both of the theories. Rich nations need poor nations to prosper as much as poor nations need rich nations in order to develop. The main conclusion for the countries that can be made on the basis of both of the theories is the necessity of the ability to state what the country wants in exchange for what they take. This is a clearly tactical step that the government should follow.

o Overcoming World Hunger: The Challenge Ahead /Washington, D.C. Government Printing Office/ 1980.

o Peter Singer, “The Singer Solution to World Poverty” /New York Times/ 1999.

What Angle Would You Take In Writing A World Hunger Essay?

Many people in many parts of the world die without proper food. This is a global problem that is increasing almost on a daily basis. More than 10 million people the world over die due to lack of food. Out of this, 5.6 million are children. It is a sad situation especially considering the fact that there are many people who throw away food. If you are assigned the world hunger essay. you have the choice to be matter of fact and write based on facts and figures or make it emotional and tug at the hearts of the readers. Your essay can make a passionate plea for stopping world hunger. How do you do this? Let us show you how to write essay .

Why Write the Essay?

You may wonder why you need to write this type of essay. Firstly, you should know you are assigned the writing of essays to improve your writing skills. Secondly, you are assigned these essays so that you are aware of facts that affect the entire world. Writing an essay of this type will not only educate you on the world outside your little circle, but also turn your heart inside out about the plight of the people, the world over, who suffer without food.

How to Write the Essay

There are many topics to be considered when writing the world hunger essay. Whatever method you utilize to write the essay, you should write it with compassion and understanding.

Causes of World Hunger – This method of writing the essay should utilize the cause and effect essay. So, what exactly causes world hunger? One of the main reasons for world hunger is overpopulation and poverty. Overpopulation means more land is required for growing crops. Land is running out because of overpopulation. Poverty causes people to go hungry as they are unable to afford food. Waste is another cause of hunger. If even a quarter of food thrown away on a whim is given to people in Africa and India, we may solve part of the world’s hunger problem.

Facts and Statistics on World Hunger – This can be an informative essay about the facts and statistics pertaining to world hunger. You can write about how many people in a country are without food, the percentage of people who have only one meal a day etc. Educate the reader on malnutrition, famine and feelings of hunger. Even though you are providing facts and statistics, always remember to instil compassion in your essay.

Preventing World Hunger – The population in the world increases on a daily basis and, as a result, people go without food for days as they are unable to feed their families. What will happen in another 50 years with the doubling of the population? This will result in the loss of natural resources and plant and animal life. What will happen when we run out of these resources and food? Your essay can discuss these elements at length and write a persuasive essay on how this can be prevented.

A world hunger essay. although extremely interesting to write, may be difficult for some students. They may wonder how to write essay for a good grade. Do not worry. Our sample gallery provides you with a myriad of topics and sample essays that will definitely make things easier for you. Draw inspiration from our topic list files and sample essays on various topics to gain an insight into how various essay assignments are to be handled.

World Hunger is a Dire Issue that can be written About in Different Ways

World hunger statistics are staggering. Did you know that 33% of the people in Africa are malnourished? Worst more, that 8 children die across the world without food every60 seconds. That is 1440 children per day! Although it is a critical problem in the third world countries, there are some desperately poor people that cannot feed themselves properly, even in the developed countries. This makes world hunger a global issues. If you are assigned a world hunger essay. then, it can be written in a number of different manners.

Persuasive Essay Don’t Waste Food when Poor People are Dying of Hunger

We all know how some people waste food, splurging many thousands of dollars on food that they don’t really eat or only eat partially. Most people tend to serve more than they can eat, throwing away good food. Think of times that you had simply dumped your food because it did not taste good or had the right flavour? However, have you thought of the number of hungry children whose bodies are only skin and skeletons and dying of starvation and how they would appreciate the same food you threw in the dustbin? Your persuasive essay can be on this stance, telling what you can do at personal level to curb world hunger but not wasting food. Similarly you can write on why we must support those organisations that provide aid to ease starvation and hunger.

Informative Essay – World Hunger Facts and Figures

Most common form of writing this essay is to write it as an informative essay, outlining the situation and citing key points related to the issue. Use of valid and authentic sources for data and facts and figures is important to add value to the essay you write. The most recent information is needed when writing informative essays. Citing the sources as per the essay format prescribed for the assignment is very important for the validity of an informative essay.

Narrative Essay A Tale of a Hungry Child

You can write creatively and use narration and description styles in your world hunger essay. This writing method can be used to increase interest to the reader and make it more emotionally appealing. You must use the feelings of the child and the sensory verbs to convey the dire conditions the children face when suffering from hunger. Your narrative essay should be heart wrenching in its narrative style and be an urging to the reader to take action to help those who are unfortunate to suffer from hunger.

Cause and Effect Essay Increase in Population Cause World Hunger

One can write a world hunger essay by analysing the causes for this situation. The basics of writing an effective cause and effect essay involves the identification of the link between the effect and the cause involved in a situation The population growth in the world has surpassed 75% during the last 30 years proving and the food generation is increasingly in short supply. World hunger essay that analyse the cause of it in this manner should cite ample evidence and facts to support the statement.

Writing a world hunger essay is not just an academic assignment but an eye opener for most students. Since there are many different ways that the essay can be written in, you can choose the writing style that you are most comfortable with. Visit our sample gallery to see essay samples written in different styles of essay writing.

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The top ten causes of world hunger

Aug 27, 2022

1 in 9 people go hungry each day — but why? Learn about the top 10 causes of world hunger, and what we're doing to solve them.

Hunger by the numbers

• The world produces enough food to feed all 7.5 billion people
• Despite this, 1 in 9 people around the world go hungry each day
• Somalia is the world’s hungriest country as of 2021
• According to the 2021 Global Hunger Index , 47 countries will fail even to reach Low hunger status by 2030 — an increase of 10 countries compared to 2020’s report
• Since 2012, hunger has increased in 10 countries with Moderate, Serious, or Alarming hunger levels
• 14 countries have achieved significant improvements in hunger, with a reduction of 25% or more between their 2012 and 2021 GHI scores
• The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are expected to include 30 million more people undernourished globally in 2030

What causes world hunger?

The world produces enough food to feed all 7.5 billion people, yet more than 10% of the population goes hungry each day.

As part of the United Nations  Sustainable Development Goals , Concern is working to eliminate hunger and malnutrition by 2050. But we need to know what we're really fighting. Here are 10 of the most popular causes of world hunger — and how you can help advance the fight for Zero Hunger .

Learn more about what causes hunger…

…and what we're doing to address them. Get updates delivered straight to your inbox.

Poverty and hunger exist in a vicious cycle. Families trapped in the cycle of poverty  usually can’t afford nutritious food, leading to undernourishment. In turn, undernourishment makes it difficult for people to earn more money so that they can afford healthy food. Families living in poverty might also sell off their livestock or tools to supplement their income. This buys short-term relief, but perpetuates a longer-term pattern of hunger and poverty that is often passed down from parents to children.

The Democratic Republic of Congo , recognized year over year as one of the world’s poorest countries , has a population of 89.56 million, the majority of whom live below $1.25/day. As of 2021, over 37 million Congolese aren't getting the minimum amount of nutrients they need each day.

2. Food shortages

Across regions like the Sahel and the Horn of Africa , farming families experience periods before harvests known as “hunger seasons.” These are the times of year when food supplies from the previous harvest are exhausted, but the chance to replenish supplies is still some time off. This leaves families forced to skip one (or more) meals each day in the period before the next harvest — which could be months away.

3. War and conflict

Conflict and hunger form another vicious cycle. In South Sudan , civil war has led to mass displacement and abandoned fields. The result is crop failure which, combined with a soaring inflation rate that makes imported food unaffordable, has left 7.2 million people in a food crisis. Likewise, Yemen’s ongoing conflict has led to over half the country (approximately 17 million people) in need of urgent action in the absence of ongoing humanitarian food assistance.

Conflict and hunger: Five links in a deadly chain

Conflict and hunger exist in a back-and-forth relationship where one tends to increase the other. Unfortunately, in 2021, both are on the rise.

4. Climate change

Countries like Malawi enjoy relative peace and political stability. However, they are also plagued by hunger due to climate change . Too little — or too much — rainfall can destroy harvests or reduce the amount of animal pasture available. These fluctuations are made worse by the El Niño weather system, and are likely to increase due to changes in climate. Extreme climate patterns also tend to affect the poorest regions of the world the most. The World Bank estimates that climate change has the power to push more than 100 million people into poverty over the next decade.

5. Poor nutrition

Hunger isn’t simply a lack of access to food: It’s a lack of access to the right nutrients. In order to thrive, humans need a range of foods providing a variety of essential health benefits. Families living in poverty often rely on just one or two staple foods (like corn or wheat), which means they’re not getting enough critical macronutrients and vitamins, and may still suffer the effects of hunger.

A lack of nutrition is especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women and young children: Nutrition support during pregnancy and up to the age of five can help protect children for their entire lives. Proper nutrition reduces the likelihood of disease, poor health, and cognitive impairment. Through the LANN project, communities in countries like Sierra Leone are learning how to identify nutrient-rich wild foods that are safe to eat in order to make the most of their available resources. This is one of the many ways we look for sustainable solutions for malnourished communities.

6. Poor public policy

Systemic problems, like poor infrastructure or low investment in agriculture, often prevent food and water from reaching the populations that need them the most.

7. Poor economy

Much like the poverty-hunger cycle, a country’s economic resilience has a direct effect on its nutritional resilience. For example, Liberia ’s overall economic troubles deepened after the Ebola outbreak in 2014 . Five years after the end of the epidemic, 50% live below the poverty line. Working towards economic stability overall will have a ripple effect on other causes of world hunger cited on this list.

8. Food waste

According to the World Food Programme , one-third of all food produced — over 1.3 billion tons of it — is never consumed. What’s more, producing this wasted food also uses other natural resources that, when threatened, have a ripple effect in the countries that are already hit hardest by hunger , poverty, and climate change. Producing this wasted food requires an amount of water equal to the annual flow of Russia’s Volga River — and adds 3.3 billion tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

9. Gender inequality

In its Sustainable Development Goals , the UN reveals: “If women farmers had the same access to resources as men, the number of hungry in the world could be reduced by up to 150 million.” Female farmers are responsible for growing, harvesting, preparing, and selling the majority of food in poor countries. Women are on the frontlines of the fight against hunger, yet they are frequently underrepresented at the forums where important decisions on policy and resources are made.

10. Forced migration

Hunger can be a cause of forced migration, but forced migration can also be a cause of hunger . Many refugees living abroad live in neighboring countries with limited resources to begin with. In Lebanon , for example, nearly a third of the population are refugees, placing a huge strain on resources. Each year, Concern partners with Welthungerhilfe to produce the Global Hunger Index . Our 2018 edition underlines the connection between hunger and forced migration, a problem which can only be resolved by a political solution.

Global hunger: How you can help

While the causes of hunger are complex, change is possible and there is hope in action. Supporting Concern means that $0.93 of every dollar donated goes to our life-saving work in 25 countries around the world. Last year, we were able to reach over 11.4 million people with our health and nutrition initiatives.

Donate to Concern

Causes of world hunger in focus

How climate change increases hunger (and why we're all at risk)

Extreme Poverty and Hunger: A Vicious Cycle

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World Hunger Essay

World hunger is a problem that has existed for centuries. Despite the efforts of many organizations and individuals, the number of people who are hungry or at risk of hunger continues to rise. According to the World Food Programme, there are about 795 million people who are chronically undernourished, which means that they do not have enough food to lead a healthy and active life.

The causes of world hunger are complex and multi-faceted, but there are some common underlying factors. One of the main causes is poverty. People living in poverty do not have the money to buy food, or they may not have access to land where they can grow their own food. Another major cause of world hunger is conflict. When countries are in conflict, it disrupts the distribution of food and can lead to widespread famine. Natural disasters, such as droughts and floods, can also cause food shortages.

There are many ways to address world hunger. One way is to provide emergency food assistance to people who are affected by natural disasters or conflicts. Another way is to work on long-term solutions such as economic development and agricultural reform.

World hunger is a complex problem that requires a multi-faceted approach to be effectively addressed. However, with concerted effort and cooperation, it is possible to make progress in the fight against hunger.

As I speak these words to you, a youngster somewhere on this planet will have perished from starvation. A child. Children are the most vulnerable of us: they trust everyone instinctively, and their purity is genuine and appropriate and necessary–and they’re dying in far-flung regions of the globe until their skin stretches over their bones and they don’t have the strength, desire, or capacity to cry out anymore. You may feel for them with compassion or guilt or simply an understanding of their condition.

They become a statistic, one more number in the millions that die each year from something as preventable and solvable as hunger.

World hunger is one of the biggest problems faced by the human race. It’s not just a problem in developing countries, either. In our own country, the United States of America, there are children going to bed hungry every night. Just think about that for a moment. In the richest country in the world, with more resources than any other nation, there are still children who don’t have enough to eat. That’s shameful.

The problem of world hunger is complex and multi-faceted. There are many factors that contribute to it: war, natural disasters, poverty, poor infrastructure and access to resources, and more. But the bottom line is that there is enough food in the world to feed everyone. So why are people still going hungry?

There are a number of organizations working to solve the problem of world hunger. One of them is World Food Programme (WFP). The WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, working to end hunger worldwide. They provide food assistance in emergencies and help communities develop long-term solutions to hunger.

You can help fight world hunger by supporting the WFP or another organization working to end hunger. You can also donate money or time to local food banks or soup kitchens. Or you can advocate for policies that will help reduce hunger and poverty.

The bottom line is that we can end world hunger. But it’s going to take all of us working together to make it happen.

Despite this, they remain hungry while their countries suffer from deadly plagues that demand sweet forgiveness. You may believe you can do nothing, but a single dollar here and there seems to fall off your fingers without a second thought—dollars that could feed starving families for days.

In order to truly address the problem of world hunger, not only must someone travel to these nations and improve their infrastructure in order to give assistance, but you must also keep them in mind so that their suffering does not go unnoticed. The first step is changing one’s diet.

People in these areas often don’t have access to gardens or grocery stores. Without a change in diet, the people will never be able to properly absorb the nutrients they need. They must have access to education so that they can learn about food and its value, not only for themselves but also for their families. The next issue is infrastructure.

These countries must have access to clean water and sanitation so that disease doesn’t spread like wildfire through their communities. They also need roads and transportation so that they can get food and supplies to where they’re needed most. And finally, they need medical care. Too often, children die because they don’t have access to basic medical care, such as vaccinations. World hunger is a problem that can be solved, but it will take more than just money.

It will take a change in mindset and a willingness to help those who cannot help themselves. With your help, we can make the world a better place for everyone. World hunger is a global issue that effects us all. We need to work together to find a solution so that everyone can have access to food and live a healthy life. Thank you for your time and consideration. World hunger must end now.

World hunger is defined as “a condition in which people lack the means necessary to obtain adequate food on a daily basis” (www.endworldhunger.org). According to the World Food Programme, there are 795 million people around the world who are affected by hunger on a daily basis, including 155 million children under the age of five.

Some countries have the resources to provide children with adequate calories to develop and thrive, yet they waste away and die. This is due to malnutrition. Micronutrients (particularly protein) are lacking in many fatal diseases due to a lack of macronutrients (especially protein).

Both kwashiorkor and marasmus are particularly terrible and prevalent forms of malnutrition. Kwashiorkor occurs as a result of a deficit in protein, whereas marasmus results from an absence of all minerals. Both induce youngsters to become heartbreaking images made up of skin and bones. The method to properly subsist on farm must be established in every nation on the planet in order to address this.

World hunger has many causes, but all of them are interconnected. Poverty is the main cause of world hunger. According to World Bank, “Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is being sick and not being able to see a doctor. Poverty is not having access to school and not knowing how to read. Poverty is not having a job, is fear for tomorrow, living one day at a time.”

This means that people who are poor do not have enough money to buy food or clothes or even pay their rent. They also do not have enough money to go to the doctor when they are sick and they cannot afford to send their children to school because they need them to work in order to earn some money.

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80 World Hunger Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best world hunger topic ideas & essay examples, 🎓 simple & easy world hunger essay titles, 🔎 good research topics about world hunger, ❓ questions about world hunger.

• World Hunger Essay: Causes of World Hunger & How to Solve It It is important to note that though the problem of hunger is virtually everywhere in the world, most of the hunger stricken people are found in the developing countries.
• World Hunger: Cause and Effect In this way, the poor nations have to export most of their food to pay these debts. In other cases, most industries that used to offer assistance to these poor nations also center on exports […] We will write a custom essay specifically for you by our professional experts 808 writers online Learn More
• Effects of World Hunger Activities of the United States indicate a tendency to increase world hunger; it seems to give the perception that it is fond to bask in the glory of the world’s dependency on foreign aid, so […]
• World Hunger: Causes and Solutions For example, Peter Singer and Garrett Hardin depict the importance of famine and suggest diverse solutions for the cease of the problem in their publications and scientific research.
• What Causes World Hunger? It is, therefore, true enough to state that corrupt and oppressive political systems around the world have contributed a great deal towards the escalation of world hunger.
• Population Growth and World Hunger Links I recommends teachers who teach mathematics to liberal arts to try these teaching strategies and test how the performances of their students will greatly improve.
• Genetically Engineered Food Against World Hunger I support the production of GMFs in large quality; I hold the opinion that they can offer a lasting solution to food problems facing the world.
• Peter Singer in the Solution to World Hunger This paper analyses the topic on world hunger, why the topic is important in the study of ethics, and Peter Singer’s position on what we ought to do to alleviate world hunger.
• World Hunger and Millennium Development Goals The chart below shows the statistics of hunger in the world: The majority of poverty stricken people who happens to be suffering from hunger live in Africa, the Pacific, Caribbean, and Asia.
• Is Genetically Engineered Food the Solution to the World’s Hunger Problems? However, the acceptance of GMO’s as the solution to the world’s food problem is not unanimously and there is still a multitude of opposition and suspicion of their use.
• Genetically Modified Food as a Solution to Ending World Hunger
• World Hunger and Environment: Pressures on Land, Water, and Energy Resources
• Poverty Is the Principal Cause of Global Hunger
• Focus On 24 Vulnerable Countries to Help End World Hunger
• World Hunger Problem: Biological Stress Factors
• Utilitarianism Theory: The Moral Obligation to Help End World Hunger
• The Connection Between Overpopulation and World Hunger: Factors Which Contribute to Hunger
• The focus of the 2021 Ghi: World Hunger and Food Systems in Conflict Settings
• World Hunger and Global Environment in Haiti
• World Hunger’s Problem Needs Resilience to Build Food and Nutrition Security
• Role of Company Zambrero and Mexican Cuisine in Fighting Against World Hunger
• Australian Foreign Aid Projects to Reduce World Hunger and Poverty
• The Clean Meat Movement as the Solution to World Hunger
• Global and Regional Trends in World Hunger
• Development and Strategies for Reducing World Hunger
• The Impact of Animal Agriculture on World Hunger
• World Hunger’s Solutions: Reduced Usage of Land And Teaching Farmers About Effective Land Use
• Myths About World Hunger: Just a Problem of Not Having Enough Food
• World Hunger Effects on Developing Countries: Underweight, Growth Stunted, and Micronutrient Deficiencies
• World Hunger in Africa: Facts, FAQs, and How to Help
• The Challenge of World Hunger and Climate Change
• Forced Migration and World Hunger: Two Closely Intertwined Problems
• Why Rising and Volatile Food Prices Bring World Hunger
• World Hunger: Measures of Child Undernutrition
• World Hunger and the UK Example: Food Prices Being High
• How Politics Subsidize World Hunger
• Can Biotech Food Cure World Hunger
• Freerice by WFP: Free Trivia Game That Helps End World Hunger
• Linking Health and Sustainable Food Systems With World Hunger
• The World Hunger and Food Shortages: Conflicts, Wars, Environmental Shocks Such as Flooding or Drought
• World Hunger: Discussion of Cannibalism as a Possible Solution
• The Inequalities of World Hunger: The UN And Their Aim “Leaving No One Behind”
• World Hunger Relief Organizations
• A Decrease in World Hunger With an Increase in Food Production
• Ending World Hunger in Our Time by Food Sovereignty
• No Food, No Morals: The Effects of World Hunger
• Peter Singer in the Solution to World Hunger
• How the Creation of Leaders Brings Inequalities in Rank, Power, Wealth, and Eventually the Creation of World Hunger
• Why the War in Ukraine Has Exacerbated Global Food Insecurity
• Solving World Hunger Through Microenterprises, Policy, and Community Health Workers
• How Does Poverty Cause World Hunger?
• What Are the Main Consequences of World Hunger?
• How Can Micro-Enterprises, Politics and Community Health Workers Solve the Problem of World Hunger?
• What Is the Biggest Problem in the Fight Against Hunger in the World?
• Is World Hunger Caused by Food Waste?
• What Are the Causes and Effects of Hunger in the World?
• How Does Animal Agriculture Contribute to World Hunger?
• What Is the Social Problem of World Hunger?
• How Can the Government Overcome World Hunger?
• Why Is World Hunger a Political Issue?
• Is Hunger Caused by Food Shortages Around the World?
• How Is World Hunger Affecting Haiti?
• What Are the Things That Can Help End World Hunger?
• How Can Genetic Engineering Help Fight World Hunger?
• Is World Hunger a Human Rights Issue?
• What Is the Biggest Contributor to World Hunger?
• How Does Political Instability Cause World Hunger?
• Is World Hunger a Problem of Distribution?
• What Measures Must Be Taken Today to Prevent Future World Hunger?
• Is There a Connection Between Diabetes and World Hunger?
• How Can Gmos End World Hunger?
• Are Overpopulation and World Hunger Related?
• How Is World Hunger Related to Human Rights?
• Does Utilitarianism Theory Claim That It Is Our Moral Duty to Help End World Hunger?
• What Is the Most Effective Way to End World Hunger?
• How Are World Hunger and Poverty in Developing Countries Related?
• Could Food Sovereignty Put an End to World Hunger in Our Time?
• Is Genetically Modified Food the Answer to World Hunger?
• How Does World Hunger Affect the Economy?
• Does the Meat Industry Contribute to World Hunger?
• Chicago (A-D)
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IvyPanda. (2023, March 22). 80 World Hunger Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/world-hunger-essay-topics/

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Encyclopedia of Sustainable Management pp 1913–1916 Cite as

Hunger and Poverty

• Sefer Aydoğan 7  
• Reference work entry
• First Online: 22 November 2023

Education ; Empowering girls ; Environment ; Health ; Hunger ; Local democracy ; Nutrition ; Self-reliance ; Social cohesion ; Water and sanitation

Definitions

Poverty and hunger are multidimensional phenomena. According to the National Research Council ( 2006 ), hunger refers to a life-threatening lack of food or short-term physical discomfort as a result of food shortage. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that about 10.7% of the world’s total population are suffering from chronic malnutrition (FAO 2017 ).

Food production is enough to feed the world population. The main problem is that many people in the world still do not have a minimum income level to buy nutritious food for their own. The Hunger Project estimates that about 11% of people are living in poverty and survive on 1.90 USD or less per day (The Hunger Project 2019 ). According to the World Bank (WB 2019 ), 1.90 USD or below income level per day is known as extreme poverty. The majority of...

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Action against Hunger. (2019). Global poverty and hunger. Retrieved from https://www.actionagainsthunger.org/global-poverty-hunger-facts . Accessed 02 Aug 2019.

Binswanger, H. P., & Landell-Mills, P. (1995). The World Bank’s strategy for reducing poverty and hunger: A report to the development community. Environmentally sustainable development studies and monographs series monograph. No.4 . Washington, DC: The World Bank.

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Food and Agriculture Organization. (2017). The future of food and agriculture: Trends and challenges. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/3/a-i6583e.pdf . Accessed August 2019.

Food and Agriculture Organization. (2019). FAO, IFAD and WFP join efforts to eradicate hunger and malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean from http://www.fao.org/americas/noticias/ver/en/c/1070151/ . Accessed 02 Aug 2019.

Food and Agriculture Organization, International Fund for Agricultural Development, UNICEF, World Food Programme, & WHO. (2017). The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2017: Building resilience for peace and food security. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/3/a-i7695e.pdf . Accessed July 2019.

Hillestad, S. (2019). The relationship between hunger and poverty. The Borgen Project. Retrieved from https://borgenproject.org/the-relationship-of-hunger-poverty/ Accessed 02 Aug 2019.

National Research Council. (2006). Food insecurity and hunger in the United States: An assessment of the measure . Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Accessed 8 Aug 2019.

The Hunger Project. (2019). Poverty. Retrieved from https://www.thp.org/issues/poverty/ . Accessed 07 Aug 2019.

The United Nations. (2019). Poverty. Retrieved from https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/worldswomen/WW2010Report_by%20chapterBW/Poverty_BW.pdf . Accessed 2 Aug 2019.

The World Bank. (2019). Poverty Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty Accessed 2 August 2019.

UNICEF, WHO, & The World Bank. (2018, May 14). Levels and trends in child malnutrition. UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Group Joint Child Malnutrition Estimates Key findings of the 2018 edition. Retrieved from http://data.unicef.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/JME-2018-brochure-.pdf . Accessed 8 July 2019.

World Hunger. (2018). Hunger notes. Retrieved from https://www.worldhunger.org/world-hunger-and-poverty-facts-and-statistics/ . Accessed 10 Aug 2019.

Further Readings

Institute of Development Studies. (n.d.). Hunger and nutrition commitment index. Retrieved from http://www.hancindex.org/ .

International Food Policy Research Institute. (2014). 2014 global food policy report.

International Food Policy Research Institute. (2015). 2015 global hunger index. Retrieved from https://www.ifpri.org/publication/2015-global-hunger-index-armed-conflict-and-challenge-hunger .

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Sefer Aydoğan

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Aydoğan, S. (2023). Hunger and Poverty. In: Idowu, S.O., Schmidpeter, R., Capaldi, N., Zu, L., Del Baldo, M., Abreu, R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Sustainable Management. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25984-5_556

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Effect of COVID-19 on food security, hunger, and food crisis

Hojatollah kakaei.

a Health and Environment Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran

b Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran

Heshmatollah Nourmoradi

Salar bakhtiyari.

c Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran

Mohsen Jalilian

Amin mirzaei.

COVID-19 affected the world’s socioeconomic and food security more than other infectious diseases. In many countries, food industries’ workers were moderated because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused food factories to reduce or slow down their production. Airline closures, national and international restrictions, and lockdowns have severely disrupted the food supply chain. These, along with structural weaknesses in the world food system such as production, distribution, access, and stability in the food chain, have exposed more people to the food crisis and acute hunger in the world. Therefore it is necessary to use proper planning by governmental organizations and charities in the field of food supply in critical situations.

1. Introduction

COVID-19 outbreak has brought hunger to millions of people around the world. 1 Various strategies such as physical distance, school closures, trade restrictions, and countries’ lockdown to control the pandemic have increased the nutritional challenges around the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with the highest populations. 2 , 3 These restrictions have likely disrupted agricultural production and concerned millions of people about access to adequate food. Various experts in this field believe that this hunger crisis is global. The sudden loss of productivity and income, falling oil prices, low tourism revenue, problems such as climate change, and other factors are all related to the outbreak of COVID-19. 1 A recent FAO report (2019) found that 820 million people have been suffering from starvation worldwide. The Global Report on Food Crisis (FSIN, 2020) also showed that approximately 135 million people in 55 countries are affected by acute food insecurity, of which 73 million are in 36 countries in Africa. 4 The United Nations reported that COVID-19 is likely to increase poverty and food insecurity on a global scale. Therefore achieving the goals of sustainable development is considered a top priority. Other international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) have also supported this concept. 5 People’s health and nutrition in food crises are at greater risk due to their inability to access healthcare and their inability to reimburse their expenses. 4

2. Food insecurity

Food insecurity is one of the factors contributing to the increase in food poverty and malnutrition in middle and low standard of living communities, which during epidemics such as COVID-19 can affect the nutritional conditions of a large population of the world.

Food insecurity is defined as the persistent concern about access to sufficient and affordable food at all times. 1 Food insecurity causes stress in people. One of the most important reasons for people’s stress is where and how to get enough food due to unemployment and low income during the COVID-19 epidemic. 6 Poverty, low-income family health, poor livelihoods and household management strategies can lead to food insecurity. The severity and classification of food insecurity depend on family members’ perceptions of food and food budgets. Consequences and threats of food insecurity hurt mental, social, and psychological-emotional status. Food insecurity can be mild, moderate, or severe. The classification depends on the severity of the uncertainty, anxiety about access to food, unbalanced diet, and changes in diet quality ( Fig. 1 ). 5

Food insecurity among the population in Jordan during the quarantine. 5

The FAO defines food security as “the right of all persons to have adequate physical, economical and safe access to meet their nutritional needs at all times, as well as to choose their food preferences for an active and healthy life.” Food is specifically mentioned, as a part of the right to a standard of living (adequacy of food to protect the health of the individual and family), in Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 7 , 8 , 9 The right to food has been discussed in several international conferences since 1948. In the Rome Declaration on Global Food Security (1996), all countries except Australia and the United States agreed that food is a fundamental human right. 9 , 10

Some important factors of food insecurity can include conflict, poverty, climate change, economic downturn, and ecosystem disruption. Therefore the ability of a country to create food security depends on the available resources, policies, cultural and natural capacity of the country, and the extent of practical use of these resources. 11 According to the United Nations, food insecurity has now increased from 23.3% in 2014 to 26.4% in 2018. Before COVID-19 in September 2019, about 821 million people (more than 10% of the world’s population) suffered from hunger. 12 The report on the use of the Food Bank in the UK shows that about three million people received food packages between 2018 and 2019, compared to approximately 41,000 in 2009 and 2010. 13 However, at the height of the COVID-19 crisis, there was a further gap in food demand and rising food prices. 14

In the United States, household food insecurity increased from 11% in 2018 to 38% in March 2020. In April 2020, 35% of households with children aged 18 years old and under were food insecure. Households with food insecurity may be less likely to follow social distancing recommendations during the COVID-19 epidemic for access to food resources. Because these people have less flexibility in their jobs, they are inevitably at greater risk due to reduced incomes and, consequently, reduced access to food. 15 The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) believes that food insecurity can be investigated in four dimensions: availability, access, quality, and stability. Despite the few instances of food access disruption and instability due to transportation disruption or temporary hoarding, the main effects of COVID-19 on people’s food security are related to physical access. 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 The FAO reports that the COVID-19 outbreak has affected agriculture and food security in two important ways: food supply and demand. For this reason, food security is exposed to serious risks during the COVID-19 crisis. 20

3. COVID-19 and food access

The food chain is a network that connects the agricultural system to the consumer fork. This food chain includes the processes of production, packaging, distribution, and storage of food. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, social quarantine by governments caused people to flock to food products sales centers, leading to shortages of some food products in many countries. 20 Behavioral patterns of people with food insecurity can change through the food supply. 21 , 22 Weak monitoring systems, job losses, and limited transportation systems are key factors that hinder the national food supply and demand. 23 Demand is related to the ability of consumers to buy certain goods or services in any given period. Purchasing power and income also have a large impact on demand ( Fig. 2 ). 20

Globally confirmed cases, deaths, and Food Price Index by the effect of COVID-19. 20

As a result, food prices (for example, wheat and rice) have risen and continue to rise. Hence, global food security warnings have been issued due to food shortages, rising food prices, or loss of income due to the high rate of unemployment. 1 The COVID-19 pandemic has boosted demand for online food delivery. For example, during COVID-19, a 20 to 30% increase in restaurant food delivery was observed online in Taiwan. 3 In China, online food demand was increased during COVID-19 due to quarantine conditions but did not lead to food shortages. 20 COVID-19 directly and strongly affects food access. These effects are felt through a disruption of food access, shifts in consumer demand for cheaper foods with low nutritional value, and instability in food prices. 24 Access to food during COVID-19 is very poor in many countries. In the United States, of the approximately 520 food retailers, about 88% of them present no fresh and unprocessed food. Only 12% provide enough fresh food to support a healthy diet. 25

COVID-19 primarily threatens access to food through the loss of income to buy food. The poorest households spend about 70% of their income on food and have limited access to financial markets; therefore, their food security is particularly vulnerable to income shocks. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has forecasted a 5% decline in the world economy during 2020. 26 This report shows that the global recession is much deeper than the global financial crisis of 2008–09. These economic consequences will reduce trade, sales of oil and other commodities, international travel, and transportation restrictions in the early countries of the epidemic (China, Europe, and the United States) and low- and middle-income countries. In developing countries, the economic costs include COVID-19 restrictions 24 in addition to the earlier aspects. Due to the lack of up-to-date surveys in most countries, it is impossible to estimate COVID-19 effects on global poverty and food insecurity accurately. However, the evaluation of simulation models shows that 90 to 150 million people can fall into extreme poverty due to COVID-19. 24 Although such estimates are very vague due to the rapid onset of the disease, these projections estimate a significant increase in global poverty between% 15 and 24%. The highest increase in poverty is in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. 24 Poor people do not have enough financial resources to buy food for the prevention of hunger and malnutrition.

For this reason, they tend to buy cheaper and less nutritious foods to meet their needs. Even if the recession is short time, the effects of malnutrition can be long, especially in young children. 24 Of the four dimensions of food security, food availability is probably the most important. 27

4. COVID-19 and food hygiene

The food supply chain is a complex global network that includes producers, consumers, agricultural and fishery products, processing and storage, transportation and marketing, etc. 28 The more the world as a village connects, the more likely it is that all countries will be exposed to this disease crisis. Therefore not preventing the spread of the disease in one country means that the world is at risk. The consequences of an epidemic disease negatively affect health and lead to unpleasant economic, social, and political crises. 29 A recent report by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs, 2019) found that about 55% of the world’s population, especially in developing countries, lacks social protection. This vulnerability exacerbates socioeconomic harms that, in addition to weakening the diet and promoting malnutrition of the poor people, spread to the human rights and education sectors. 29

However, the outbreak of COVID-19 has raised public health concerns, economic and food crises. During the quarantine, the food sector was severely affected, with the greatest impact on vulnerable groups. The agricultural and aquaculture economy in the last quarter of 2020 showed a significant decline that affected millions of people worldwide. This could be because of health concerns about the transmission of the virus through food. 12 Since the effects of this epidemic began in the food market, it is anticipated that food processing and production policies could be revised. Unless new methods of cooperation and action are adopted between government, industry, and individuals, the world will be even less prepared for the next epidemic in the future. 12

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for higher nutritional value foods has increased compared to low-value and processed ones. Also, due to the widespread restrictions on food choices, such as the closure of restaurants, families have more opportunities to prepare and consume more healthy and nutritious home-cooked foods. Public and private organizations also present the necessary advice and training through social media to promote healthy behaviors about healthy food according to the limitations of the disease. 30 Recent research on COVID-19 has clearly shown that the virus remains active on plastics and stainless steel for up to 72 h, compared to 24 h on cardboard. 31 , 32 , 33

Therefore due to the rate and routes of transmission of this virus, it is necessary to provide special health measures for the food industry. Although health concerns are a top priority in the COVID-19 epidemic, livelihoods and food insecurity should not be ignored. The world is currently on the brink of worsening unemployment and food security crises. Policymakers need to keep in mind that the COVID-19 threat still exists worldwide. Therefore they must be careful not to repeat the mistakes that occurred in the food crisis of 2007–08. 28 Food factories should take steps to preserve food products and distribute goods properly following WHO recommendations. However, packaging may be a suitable place for virus transmission. 34

5. COVID-19 and food production

Globally, it has been estimated that drought and heat can reduce crop production by approximately 10% nationally. According to the Global Food Crisis Report (2020), severe weather events in 2019 have significantly affected food security in the Horn of Africa, South Africa, Central America, and Pakistan. However, the food security crisis still affects the ongoing economic crisis in Venezuela, Haiti, Sudan, and Zimbabwe. 35 The COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to the threat to health and the great damage it has done to countries’ economies, has clarified other things. In addition to being a serious threat to health, the COVID-19 pandemic has also caused significant damage to countries’ economies. The inadequacy of the global food production and distribution system has disrupted food supply in some parts of the world and wasted food in other parts. This is while world hunger is increasing with the COVID-19 crisis. 36

The impact of COVID-19 on the food and agriculture parts has revealed the vulnerabilities of the agri-food supply chain, although the extent of disruption varies widely across the world. 37 In many developing countries, including Mexico, Peru, India, Thailand, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, an important part of the country’s economy is associated with the informal preparation and distribution of food. At the micro-level, the economies of many families also depend on this sector, and the challenges facing informal food preparation directly impact the families’ economies. 38 Although restricting the activities of informal food preparation and distribution centers can be effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19, on the other hand, it creates two major problems in the field of food security. First, the livelihoods of many families involved in food preparation and distribution are at risk. Second, because the informal food centers provide cheaper foods, the food access of many families living in poorer areas, such as suburbs, villages, and low-income areas, decreases. 38

Food security crises often occur due to a sharp decline in food production. 26 The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has delayed the transport of seeds and fertilizers and thus slowed down the global agricultural process. Livestock farmers in the United States and the United Kingdom were forced to discard their food products due to decreasing customer demand, including schools and restaurants. 36 In rich countries, major crops, especially corn, wheat, and soybeans, are highly mechanized. 26 The presence of COVID-19 up to the planting season could affect the production of major food crops such as wheat, rice, and vegetables, because it is unclear whether agricultural inputs can be distributed promptly. If the production of staple foods is affected, the impact on food security is enormous. 39 About 25% of the world’s population is directly involved in agriculture. The highest agricultural rates in the world and Asia are for Burundi (92.02%) and Nepal (65%), respectively. In the most populous countries of the world, such as India (42.38%) and China (25%), a high percentage of people are dependent on agriculture. 40 Many reactions to the epidemic diseases have led to changes in agriculture and food production that may continue for a long time.

In some cases, more emphasis may be placed on the automation of food production and processing to avoid the risks of labor use due to disease transmission or transfer restrictions. This can lead to more investment in mechanization. The mechanization can eliminate food contamination during production. 41

In developing countries, agricultural production is performed with a large labor force. Many processes, such as planting rice and harvesting basic crops, bring workers together. Although farmers in poorer countries are generally younger than in rich countries, the health systems are usually weaker in the poorer ones, and the health challenges may increase individuals’ vulnerability to COVID-19. 26 In this regard, many agricultural producers face labor shortages. The travel prohibition has led to a shortage of seasonal and informal farmworkers. The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates that COVID-19 affects about 81% (2.7 billion workers) of the workforce due to full or partial closure of the workplace. 24 , 42 Disruption of the aquatic supply chain also occurred due to restrictions on transportation, trade, and labor. Decreases in production due to reducing fishing efforts and delays in aquaculture systems led to reduced availability and consumption of these foods. The reduction in consumers’ demand and increase in maintenance costs have enhanced the price of aquaculture and reduced its cost-effectiveness for consumers. In India, fisheries are an important part of nutrition and food security. More than 9 and 14 million people depend directly on fisheries and are employed in this occupation, respectively, contributing to more than 1% of India’s GDP. 34 Fig. 3 , Fig. 4 show the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on food, agriculture, and fisheries and the main factors for food contamination during food processes, factories, and stores, respectively. 34 To respond to such crises, food supply chain issues need to be addressed.

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown. 34

COVID-19 and main factors for food contamination. 34

6. COVID-19 and the food crisis

The food crisis caused by COVID-19 does not mean a shortage of basic goods. During the disease pandemic, the share of grocery stores and retail markets has declined; however, large quantities of fresh products on farms have been spoiled and wasted. 43 COVID-19 has had many negative economic effects on people, leading to job losses and food insecurity, especially in low-income countries. These effects have led to a global food crisis. 44 COVID-19 has exacerbated the previous problems in the global food system. Many of these problems were ignored or modified before the disease. The problems concerned with hunger, food deprivation, and food wastage have long been debated. However, the issue of food supply from farm to fork has never been so important and urgent. 36 The limitations of COVID-19 are severe, unfamiliar (for farmers), and completely unexpected to the food supply system. 45

As reported in various researches, food anxiety and fears from food safety crises can change consumers’ sensitivities and beliefs about food health and lead them to use natural and organic diets. 46 COVID-19 prevention measures such as closure, staying at home, public quarantine, and stopping transportation in communities are very challenging. With the approval of the first case of the disease, many developing countries imposed a short-term state of emergency. In some cases, the movement of imports and exports was slower or even stopped. During this economic crisis, countries must provide citizens with emergency packages that may not be enough to meet the needs of their vulnerable populations. 29 During the illness, the transport sector has shut down due to closures of various countries, which can disrupt the supply chain of basic goods, especially food and humanitarian aid. Under these circumstances, the developing countries, mainly dependent on agriculture, will probably run out of food. As a result, hunger and malnutrition put their health at risk due to poor and unhealthy eating habits. In addition, countries that are highly dependent on food imports and developing countries dependent on exports of raw materials such as oil are also affected. 29

The COVID-19 crisis has shown that a coordinated local food distribution system is superior to the organizations that supply and distribute food. In the United States, the emergency food distribution system includes food banks that provide local food warehouses. During the disease, even reputable food banks, which depend on the help of retailers, are involved in this crisis and often fail to provide food stocks due to the slow assistance of retailers. In contrast, the food banks with wholesale suppliers have been better able to maintain access to food. 47 With the spread of the COVID-19, most countries have imposed higher customs controls on cargo ships, despite the risk of food spoilage as well as disruption of transport activities. Political measures have been taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which may globally reduce food production and increase prices. 14 Because the governments have imposed restrictions on food exports and nationwide closures, such reactions can cause food crises. For example, during the global economic downturn of 2007–08, the doubling of world food prices was largely due to trade restrictions imposed by the largest exporters of rice, wheat, and soybeans. These measures, intending to prevent shortages in some countries, helped supply basic foodstuffs in many national markets. 14 Various reports indicate that food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 crisis is rapidly increasing. The vulnerable population is more exposed to food insecurity. A study in the United States shows that 44% of low-income adults do not have food security and are mostly black and Hispanic. 48 , 49

Although the effects of COVID-19 on food security in developed countries have been relatively minor so far, more serious problems are emerging in developing countries. In developed countries, the demand for some staple foods, such as rice, was initially very high, and the consumers bought many supplies due to the fear of food shortages. Some food consumption patterns have changed due to people being restricted to eating at home rather than in restaurants. In many developing countries, COVID-19 had a severe impact on employment and income, creating a major food crisis for many people who could not afford food. 41 With this crisis that led to unprecedented unemployment, people who had never experienced hunger before became vulnerable. It is estimated that 40% of people receiving services from food banks in recent weeks are first-time customers. 47 The studies have reported that about one-fifth of Africa’s population (256 million people) is malnourished, and the number of hungry people increases. It is expected that Africa’s population will double by 2050, and their food demand will triple. Therefore, to provide food to expand and have a healthy life and increase welfare based on the sustainable development goals (SDGs), it is necessary to preserve ecosystems and reduce inequalities. 11 Thus increasing the food stocks, especially in the agricultural off-season, may help reduce unpredictable shocks.

7. The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on countries around the world

The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on food insecurity and its health consequences in the world is very complex, multilevel (structural, familial, and individual levels), and two-dimensional. 50 , 51 , 52 After December 2019, the outbreak of COVID-19 increased the responsibilities of tackling global food insecurity. Given that most agricultural products are perishable in nature, this has led to changes in the amount of planting, harvesting, and storage of agricultural products, resulting in reduced food quality and increased production costs. 53

From a macroeconomic point of view, the IMF estimates the loss of global GDP (GDP) caused by the COVID-19 epidemic at $ 9 trillion, a small portion of which could be highly cost-effective in preparing for an epidemic. 54 In a recent study (2020), Mauro and Baldwin reported that the outbreak of the coronavirus would cause economic collapse in countries such as the G-7, which has a 65% stake in the world’s manufacturing units, as well as a 60% drop in global supply and demand. Forty-one percent of world exports are also affected by this outbreak. 55

In 2020 UNICEF reported that approximately 820 million people were chronically hungry, and 113 million were experiencing severe insecurity. 42 , 53 More than 1.4 million people (14% of the population) in Bolivia suffer from food shortages due to financial constraints, and 7% suffer from chronic hunger. In India, approximately 16,500 farmers committed suicide even before the epidemic, for which the psychological and economic impact of COVID-19 could not be estimated ( Fig. 5 ). 56

Impact of COVID-19 on global poverty. 56

UNICEF reports from the early months of the COVID-19 epidemic showed a 30% reduction in coverage of essential nutrition services in middle-income countries. 57 Researchers believe global trade in goods has fallen by 13%–22% due to COVID-19. 42 Kansiime et al. 58 online assessed the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on household income and food security in Kenya and Uganda. This study showed that more than 67% of the participants were shocked by their income due to the COVID-19 crisis. Participants estimated that food insecurity increased by 38% and 44% in Kenya and Uganda, respectively, and that in both countries, regular fruit consumption decreased by about 30% compared to the normal preepidemic period. 58

Risks of hunger and food security have also existed in Brazil since 2016 and are now exacerbated by the onset of the COVID-19 epidemic. This situation requires awareness of the scope and importance of the issue and the expression of measures in three government areas (federal, municipal, and state) to ensure access to adequate and healthy food and reduce the adverse effects of disease on diet, health, and nutrition among the most vulnerable. 59 A study conducted by UNICEF and the Brazilian Institute of Public Opinion and Statistics from July 3, 2020, to July 18, 2020, found that during the epidemic, one in five Brazilians aged 18 or over (33 million) has had no experience with money to buy food due to running out of income. The study also reported that about 9 million Brazilians could not even eat a meal due to a lack of money or food. 60

According to the latest World Food Program (WFP) data, more than 368 million children are currently missing school meals due to the closure of schools in about 200 countries worldwide due to COVID-19. 61 About 25% of meat processing plants in the United States closed due to COVID-19 in 2 weeks in April 2020, and thousands of workers lost their jobs due to compliance with health protocols. 36 Recent two national surveys from the United States have shown that COVID-19 has led to increased food insecurity rates in families with children compared to previous years. The study of the effects of COVID-19 showed that 34.5% of households with children under 18 years of age and 34.4% of households with children under 12 years of age were food insecure by the end of April 2020, while these percentages were 14.7% and 15.1%, respectively. 1 Before COVID-19 pandemic, 1 in 9 households in the United States had food insecurity or limited or unreliable access to adequate food. 62 , 63

In a survey, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee reported that extreme poverty had increased by about 60% and that 14% of people had no food at home. 23 Also, the results of a study conducted on Romanian students showed that food wastage during the corona was significantly reduced in the study sample. Their awareness of the environmental consequences of food waste has also increased. 64 Hence, various studies have shown that COVID-19 has influenced people’s behaviors to food preparation and consumption. Buying certain types of food that have a longer shelf life and higher nutritional value, storing food at home, as well as the tendency to consume home-cooked food are examples of these behaviors. This behavior led to higher food prices, and as a result, poor people were less able to buy these items. This is more evident in developing countries. 65

The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on food insecurity and poor health outcomes is due to previous economic and health inequalities, which are mainly driven by systemic racial discrimination. 51 , 66 Before COVID-19, black, Hispanic, and low-income households experienced food insecurity and chronic illness. 67 In 2018 the prevalence of food insecurity was highest among low-income households at 29.1%, non-Hispanic blacks at 21.2%, and Hispanics at 16.2%, while in the general population, it was 11.1%. Such disputes result from unequal access to resources, including employment, food, housing, education, and healthcare. 66 , 68

Across Africa, high levels of malnutrition among women, children, and the elderly will be exacerbated by declining incomes in low-income families. Also, the livelihoods of farmers and suppliers are at greater risk due to restrictions and disruptions such as the closure of transportation routes. 4 However, most African countries have seen a steady decline in the prevalence of malnutrition since 2000. For example, the prevalence of malnutrition in Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Cameroon, Togo, and Ethiopia increased from 10.7%, 6.8%, 28.7%, 30.8%, 31.1%, and 52% in 2000 to 3.9%, 3.4%, 11.3, respectively, 9.9%, 16.1%, and 21.4% in 2019. However, in countries such as Uganda, Nigeria, and Madagascar, the prevalence rate of malnutrition increased from 27.7%, 9.3%, and 34.4% in 2000 to 41%, 13.4%, and 44.4% in 2019, respectively ( Fig. 6 ). 69

Prevalence of Undernourished in African Population (%) 2000–19. 69

During the COVID-19 epidemic, India’s economic loss is estimated at $ 234.4 billion, or 8.1% of GDP, assuming that India remains quarantined at least until the end of May 2020. 34 Fig. 7 , Fig. 8 show changes in GDP during the 5 weeks of quarantine in Nigeria and 7 weeks in Ethiopia. 70

GDP during the 5 weeks of quarantine in Nigeria. 70

GDP during the 7 weeks in Ethiopia. 70

8. COVID-19, food insecurity, and its consequences

Food insecurity with cognitive and behavioral consequences such as skipping meals due to financial constraints, food hoarding, pressuring, or overfeeding children while preparing food due to concerns about food shortages, etc., has negative effects in child’s health through family conflicts. 49 Although the distribution of food parcels by local and national governments and private donors among poor communities can help prevent acute starvation, the quality of food parcels should be evaluated as it may meet long-term nutritional needs. It is not enough and therefore has long-term negative effects on households that rely more on these food packages. In these packages, in addition to the amount of food, their type and number of calories are also very important. 71 The experience of food insecurity is stressful and, in the short and long term, is associated with many harmful physical and psychological consequences. Among children, food insecurity is also associated with adverse behavioral and educational outcomes. 72

Short-term shortages of basic foodstuffs in shops, inability to access shops due to personal quarantine, and economic reasons were the three main factors in food insecurity. In particular, people from ethnic groups of blacks, Asians and minorities, unemployed adults, childcare charities, and people with health and disabilities were at higher risk. 13 , 73

Previous research has shown that the health of older people is particularly endangered due to food insecurity, and given their vulnerability to the COVID-19 outbreak, this population needs to understand how food hardships occur. The elderly are generally not eligible for unemployment insurance, and the nutrition assistance program for the elderly is much smaller than for young adults. 74 Although the effects of food insecurity are heterogeneous within and across countries, the FAO believes that the consequences are for the unemployed, informal sector workers, families with children under 6, female-headed households, adults living alone, and adults. There will be more black families and low-income households. 75 , 76 Therefore, in conditions of food insecurity, children and adolescents with dietary deficiencies are exposed to developmental disorders, cognitive deficits, chronic physical and mental problems, and death. 77

In the United States, about 38% of adults had experienced an increase in food insecurity since mid-March 2020, when COVID-19 was declared a national emergency. 78 This rate is likely to increase as the economic crisis continues and housekeeping orders continue. As a result of unemployment and declining incomes from the COVID-19 epidemic, millions of Americans struggled with the quantity and quality of food needed and the price of in-store food, accompanied by rising prices. 79 In addition, food insecurity in populations vulnerable to COVID-19 (for example, people with chronic illnesses and the elderly) increased due to fears of exposure to the virus.

A study of students in Texas found that 34.5% of them had experienced food insecurity over the past 30 days due to COVID-19, which is 15% more than food insecurity reported in previous US student reports. 15 , 48 , 80 Current lifestyle changes and the loss of part-time jobs were the most important predictors of food insecurity in students due to COVID-19. Also, in the Philippines, many industries have lost their incomes and purchasing power since the outbreak of the epidemic. As many as 7.3 million Filipinos are unemployed. 71 Since the epidemic, the Ministry of Welfare and Social Development has identified approximately 21 million low-income Filipino families needing immediate financial and food assistance from the government. 71

In addition, students living with one parent were more than twice as likely as other students to experience food insecurity. This finding suggests that family support plays an important role in protecting students’ food security in facing crises such as COVID-19. Family support increases food purchasing power and helps maintain a balanced diet, especially for students with lower nutritional literacy or lower cooking skills. 80 , 81 , 82

Widespread food insecurity during the COVID-19 epidemic can have serious and long-term consequences for the health of low-income households. Food insecurity is associated with an increased risk of chronic diseases such as HIV, 83 , 84 , 85 , 86 type 2 diabetes, 87 , 88 cardiovascular disease, 89 , 90 hyperlipidemia, hypertension, 91 and high rate mortality. 92 In addition, given that chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are risk factors for COVID-19 complications, 93 food insecurity can increase the risk of COVID-19 with a worse outcome.

The study of the impact of the first wave of COVID-19 on food insecurity during the epidemic crisis in the first week (April 20–26) of 2020 shows that a large proportion of respondents in April 2020 experienced food insecurity in the COVID-19 health emergency. Compared to March rates, food insecurity generally doubled in April and tripled among children. The rate of increase in food insecurity was higher than the projected increase in unemployment in April, especially for families with children. As a result, the number of economic problems families have experienced has increased and required an immediate and sustained response from the government. 94

Therefore it is necessary to pay more attention to the relationship between eating pathology and food insecurity, especially in children and adolescents during pandemics. Although these times are uncertain, there are issues such as identifying the factors that exacerbate income and job inequality in the economic crisis that we must consider to protect the food security of children and adolescents now and shortly. Food security determines dignity, justice, life, and sustainable development. 1

9. COVID-19 epidemic and food system

The world population is estimated to reach 10 billion by 2050, which raises significant concerns about food safety and adequate supply, hence the demand for foods such as meat, dairy products, as well as processed foods. 12 Before the epidemic, more than 80% of the Yemeni population was dependent on food aid and faced severe food insecurity. In Syria, 9.3 million people are insecure due to unprecedented inflation in food prices. Sudan is currently facing a strict travel ban, while food prices rose 82% in April from a month earlier. This will make it less likely to achieve the zero hunger target by 2030. 12

Social justice and the goals of environmentally sustainable development are focused on reducing hunger, but the COVID-19 crisis has unprecedentedly affected these goals and disrupted the global food system. COVID-19 has tested the depth of global commitment to social justice and food sustainability and security. 36

In addition, there is no specific system for the proper distribution of food in pandemic conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic made the defect more apparent. In general, based on food consumption, there are two types of food systems: one system that deals with the preparation and consumption of home food from grocery stores, farmer markets, and food centers, and the other system that is for consumption in institutions and outside the home like restaurants, schools, and businesses. The closure of restaurants, businesses, schools, and many institutions due to COVID-19 increased the demand for food at home, disrupting food supply in grocery stores. 95 Because food was originally prepared for use by farmers outside the home, and the consumption pattern changed due to COVID-19, large amounts of food were wasted. 96

The food industry is a very important sector economically. However, the food sector faces various challenges compared to other areas of daily life, including tourism and aviation. The epidemic could lead to $ 113 billion in aviation losses and $ 80 billion in tourism. 97 Some food companies face various challenges due to declining revenues, while others work hard to meet retailers’ growing demand. The fact is that this epidemic clearly shows that different companies from different industries around the world are closely related to each other. Hence, supply management strategies are also important to meet consumer needs. Maintaining the flow of food and goods across the supply chain must be ensured with the participation of all stakeholders. Ensuring consumer confidence is also essential for food safety and security. 97

A study by Adhikari et al. 98 in Nepal showed that the COVID-19 pandemic had reduced the achievements of the SDGs as well as the negative impact on agricultural systems, food access, food consumption, and food security stability. 98 During an epidemic, continued supply flows in the agricultural and food sectors, are critical strategies to preventing a food crisis and reducing the negative impact on the global economy. As a result, every country has to realize the deterioration of the situation and sometimes, it has to tighten measures due to the prevalence of the epidemic. The supply chain must also be flexible enough to meet the challenges of the food supply chain. 97

The vulnerability of food supply chains in food systems varies according to their priorities and structure. Their four important features can be as follows:

• (i) Governments worldwide have made it a priority to ensure the delivery of staple foods to consumers.
• (ii) In developing countries, traditional labor-focused food supply chains are more affected than modern ones.
• (iii) Even modern food supply chains and systems can be severely affected by the closure or unemployment of labor and the severance of international connections.
• (iv) COVID-19 has affected public food distribution systems. School closures, for example, deprive many poor children in the United States of public meals. Farmers and other suppliers struggle to find markets to replace institutions such as restaurants and schools, resulting in a significant amount of wasted milk and other micronutrient-fortified foods. Other food supply networks are also affected, including general nutrition programs for pregnant and lactating mothers. 24

In high-income countries, perishable foods and their products have been significantly affected by COVID-19 due to their short shelf life and reliance on workers for storage and processing. Many farms employing migrant labor have faced labor shortages due to government restrictions on transportation to prevent the release of COVID-19, and the agricultural production cycle has been disrupted. 36 In summary, four major issues in the food industry and food supply chain have been addressed during the outbreak of COVID-19. First, people tend to follow a healthy diet to protect themselves and their immune systems. Second, food safety has received increasing attention among manufacturers, retailers, and consumers to prevent coronavirus transmission. Third, food security concerns have arisen due to traffic restrictions. Fourth, concerns about food stability have emerged during the epidemic. 97

Thus the coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic has shown how global food systems can become vulnerable, leading to increased food insecurity, malnutrition, and poverty, especially among vulnerable groups. 98

10. Strategies to deal with the food crisis in the COVID-19 epidemic

Creating a global response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity and its consequences, including prolonged starvation and malnutrition, requires science-based solutions, informing policymakers, including governments, global organizations, and stakeholders. 1 However, various factors such as climate, geography, socioeconomic systems, healthcare systems, educational systems, and political structures must be considered for epidemics. 1

However, being prepared for these patients, such as COVID-19, requires planning, organizing, investing, spending time and resources, as well as coordination between government agencies and the public. In addition, ensuring food availability, basic food supplies, and communicating with the public and teaching personal hygiene practices such as hand washing, masking, and physical distance are critical to COVID-19. 1 , 31 , 32

Selective government policies to reduce the effects of COVID-19 on food security can include programs for food production, estimating food demand, appropriate methods of food distribution and storage, food processing and preparation, and a global food supply chain. 4

Given that various issues affect food security, it is recommended to use the following approaches to create a food-resistant system against various threats:

• • Provide innovation and low-cost or cost-effective methods to produce agricultural products that can increase production flexibility to be used against shocks and unpredictable consequences such as crop loss, epidemic conditions, market failure, etc.
• • Creating associations of individuals and communities to effectively manage various innovations in agriculture.
• • Interacting with decision-makers to support the implementation of robust political mechanisms that support appropriate agricultural solutions can increase flexibility in food systems.
• • Support research that raises awareness of producers and consumers to strengthen the flexibility of food systems because it can, in addition to farmers’ livelihoods and promote sustainable agricultural approaches, make healthy and nutritious food available to the community. 99

11. Conclusion

COVID-19 showed that global food systems can become vulnerable, resulting in increased food insecurity, malnutrition, and poverty, especially among vulnerable groups. Therefore it is necessary to link the pathology of access to food and food insecurity, especially in children and adolescents during pandemics. In poor countries, agricultural production, from planting to harvesting, is done by labor. In these countries, health systems are usually weaker, and existing health challenges may increase people’s vulnerability to epidemics such as COVID-19. Therefore many agricultural producers face labor shortages.

Due to the fact that in severe poverty there is not enough income to buy food to prevent hunger and malnutrition, poor people close to the poverty line turn to cheaper and less nutritious food. Although access to sources of income is short lived, the effects of malnutrition can be long lasting, especially for young children and adolescents. However, in these circumstances, among the four dimensions of food security, access to food is the most important.

International Labor Organization (ILO) surveys show that COVID-19 has affected more than 80% of the workforce due to complete or partial closure of the workplace. Although the timing of the epidemics is unclear, the identification of factors that exacerbate inequality in income, employment, and thus access to food should be considered to protect the food security of children and adolescents now and in the future.

Also, better management of food supply and demand can prevent an immediate food crisis for millions. During the crisis, various restrictions forced farmers to sell their products and dairy products while food banks faced shortages. Food distribution channels designed to bring fresh farm food to commercial customers could not easily feed the food banks, leaving farmers discarding the crop for not selling and leaving people hungry.

In an epidemic, the cooperation of most organizations in the distribution system and access to food is also very important. As the crisis has clarified, cooperation is much more vital in areas that are on the outskirts of cities or in rural areas. Because of these collaborations, the rate of food waste will reduce.

Responding to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity and its consequences, including poverty, prolonged starvation and malnutrition, seems to require science-based solutions, informing policymakers, including governments and global organizations as well as stakeholders. However, various factors such as climate, geography, socioeconomic systems, healthcare systems, educational systems, and political structures must be considered for epidemics.

ENG 121 Professor Chavez

• Evaluating Information
• Evaluating Web Resources
• Thesis Creation
• Information Literacy Tutorial This link opens in a new window

How to write a thesis statement

Why should your essay contain a thesis statement.

• to test your ideas by distilling them into a sentence or two
• to better organize and develop your argument
• to provide your reader with a “guide” to your argument

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is Assigned

Almost all assignments, no matter how complicated, can be reduced to a single question. Your first step, then, is to turn the assignment into a specific question. For example, if your assignment is, “Write a report to the local school board explaining the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class,” turn the request into a question like, “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?” After you’ve chosen the question your essay will answer, compose one or two complete sentences answering that question.

Q:  “What are the potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class?” A:  “The potential benefits of using computers in a fourth-grade class are . . .”

A:  “Using computers in a fourth-grade class promises to improve . . .”

The answer to the question is the thesis statement for the essay.

How to Generate a Thesis Statement if the Topic is not Assigned

Even if your assignment doesn’t ask a specific question, your thesis statement still needs to answer a question about the issue you’d like to explore. In this situation, your job is to figure out what question you’d like to write about.

A good thesis statement will usually include the following four attributes:

• take on a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree
• deal with a subject that can be adequately treated given the nature of the assignment
• express one main idea
• assert your conclusions about a subject

Let’s see how to generate a thesis statement for a social policy paper.

Brainstorm the topic . Let’s say that your class focuses upon the problems posed by changes in the dietary habits of Americans. You find that you are interested in the amount of sugar Americans consume.

You start out with a thesis statement like this:

Sugar consumption.

This fragment isn’t a thesis statement. Instead, it simply indicates a general subject. Furthermore, your reader doesn’t know what you want to say about sugar consumption.

Narrow the topic . Your readings about the topic, however, have led you to the conclusion that elementary school children are consuming far more sugar than is healthy.

You change your thesis to look like this:

Reducing sugar consumption by elementary school children.

This fragment not only announces your subject, but it focuses on one segment of the population: elementary school children. Furthermore, it raises a subject upon which reasonable people could disagree, because while most people might agree that children consume more sugar than they used to, not everyone would agree on what should be done or who should do it. You should note that this fragment is not a thesis statement because your reader doesn’t know your conclusions on the topic.

Take a position on the topic. After reflecting on the topic a little while longer, you decide that what you really want to say about this topic is that something should be done to reduce the amount of sugar these children consume.

You revise your thesis statement to look like this:

More attention should be paid to the food and beverage choices available to elementary school children.

This statement asserts your position, but the terms  more attention  and  food and beverage choices  are vague.

Use specific language . You decide to explain what you mean about  food and beverage choices , so you write:

Experts estimate that half of elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar.

This statement is specific, but it isn’t a thesis. It merely reports a statistic instead of making an assertion.

Make an assertion based on clearly stated support. You finally revise your thesis statement one more time to look like this:

Because half of all American elementary school children consume nine times the recommended daily allowance of sugar, schools should be required to replace the beverages in soda machines with healthy alternatives.

Notice how the thesis answers the question, “What should be done to reduce sugar consumption by children, and who should do it?” When you started thinking about the paper, you may not have had a specific question in mind, but as you became more involved in the topic, your ideas became more specific. Your thesis changed to reflect your new insights.

How to Tell a Strong Thesis Statement from a Weak One

1. a strong thesis statement takes some sort of stand..

Remember that your thesis needs to show your conclusions about a subject. For example, if you are writing a paper for a class on fitness, you might be asked to choose a popular weight-loss product to evaluate. Here are two thesis statements:

There are some negative and positive aspects to the Banana Herb Tea Supplement.

This is a weak thesis statement. First, it fails to take a stand. Second, the phrase  negative and positive aspects  is vague.

Because Banana Herb Tea Supplement promotes rapid weight loss that results in the loss of muscle and lean body mass, it poses a potential danger to customers.

This is a strong thesis because it takes a stand, and because it's specific.

2. A strong thesis statement justifies discussion.

Your thesis should indicate the point of the discussion. If your assignment is to write a paper on kinship systems, using your own family as an example, you might come up with either of these two thesis statements:

My family is an extended family.

This is a weak thesis because it merely states an observation. Your reader won’t be able to tell the point of the statement, and will probably stop reading.

While most American families would view consanguineal marriage as a threat to the nuclear family structure, many Iranian families, like my own, believe that these marriages help reinforce kinship ties in an extended family.

This is a strong thesis because it shows how your experience contradicts a widely-accepted view. A good strategy for creating a strong thesis is to show that the topic is controversial. Readers will be interested in reading the rest of the essay to see how you support your point.

3. A strong thesis statement expresses one main idea.

Readers need to be able to see that your paper has one main point. If your thesis statement expresses more than one idea, then you might confuse your readers about the subject of your paper. For example:

Companies need to exploit the marketing potential of the Internet, and Web pages can provide both advertising and customer support.

This is a weak thesis statement because the reader can’t decide whether the paper is about marketing on the Internet or Web pages. To revise the thesis, the relationship between the two ideas needs to become more clear. One way to revise the thesis would be to write:

Because the Internet is filled with tremendous marketing potential, companies should exploit this potential by using Web pages that offer both advertising and customer support.

This is a strong thesis because it shows that the two ideas are related. Hint: a great many clear and engaging thesis statements contain words like  because ,  since ,  so ,  although ,  unless , and  however .

4. A strong thesis statement is specific.

A thesis statement should show exactly what your paper will be about, and will help you keep your paper to a manageable topic. For example, if you're writing a seven-to-ten page paper on hunger, you might say:

World hunger has many causes and effects.

This is a weak thesis statement for two major reasons. First,  world hunger  can’t be discussed thoroughly in seven to ten pages. Second,  many causes and effects  is vague. You should be able to identify specific causes and effects. A revised thesis might look like this:

Hunger persists in Glandelinia because jobs are scarce and farming in the infertile soil is rarely profitable.

This is a strong thesis statement because it narrows the subject to a more specific and manageable topic, and it also identifies the specific causes for the existence of hunger.

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