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Why does long-term hunger increase a person’s risk of infection?

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rickets, a nutritional disease — nutritional disease Children with rickets. The disease, which most commonly strikes children, causes bone deformities such as bowlegs. Rickets is caused by a lack of vitamin D or calcium.

Long-term hunger, or chronic malnutrition, significantly impairs the human immune system, leaving individuals highly vulnerable to infections.12

When the body lacks essential nutrients—particularly protein—it often experiences atrophy of the thymus, a vital organ for immune function. This leads to a deficiency in helper T cells, which severely compromises both antibody responses and cell-mediated immunity. Consequently, the body loses its ability to effectively defend against pathogens, increasing susceptibility to conditions such as diarrheal diseases and measles.13

In cases of protein-energy malnutrition like marasmus, the body’s overall reduced immune function is a direct consequence of prolonged inadequate intake of calories and protein. Addressing these nutritional deficits through a balanced, protein-rich diet is essential, as the immune system is often capable of recovering its function once proper nutrition is restored. Ensuring access to adequate food is a fundamental moral imperative to protect human health and prevent these avoidable, life-threatening complications.312