Tag: Seasonal hunger

Research indicates that people often consume more calories during the colder months, a physiological response to lower temperatures and reduced sunlight. If you find yourself constantly craving warm, heavy foods, you are not alone. Discover effective dietary and lifestyle strategies to feel full in winter and maintain healthy eating habits.

Research suggests that caloric intake can increase by up to 25% in winter compared to summer, even in modern air-conditioned environments. This significant shift often prompts the common question: why am I so hungry when seasons change?.

The hypothalamus in your brain regulates both body temperature and appetite, which can lead to seasonal variations in how you feel. For some, this can lead to the question: **Why am I hungrier during the summer?** We explore the surprising real reasons behind these shifts in your eating habits.

According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, average weight gain of about one pound is observed between September and March. This seasonal shift in body weight often raises a critical question: can seasonal hunger lead to weight gain? The answer lies in a combination of evolutionary biology and modern lifestyle factors.

Globally, an estimated 8.2% of the population faced hunger in 2024, a crisis exacerbated by recurrent, seasonal food shortages. So, why does seasonal hunger occur, leaving millions of rural, agricultural communities vulnerable to malnutrition and poverty? This recurring phenomenon is a complex interaction of predictable agricultural cycles and external shocks.

According to a 2021-22 survey, over 57% of rural households in India were classified as 'agricultural,' highlighting the widespread dependence on this sector. The seasonality of farming is the main reason for seasonal hunger in India, particularly for millions of landless labourers and smallholder farmers who experience a stark drop in income and work during the agricultural off-season, or 'lean season'.

Studies indicate that many people, not just animals preparing to hibernate, experience a notable increase in appetite during the colder months. This instinct to eat more is a natural physiological response to a drop in ambient temperature and a reduction in daylight, helping to explain why does winter make me more hungry.

Did you know that your body's energy expenditure can increase by 5-20% in cold temperatures as it works to stay warm? This physiological response explains, in which season do we get more hungry, and why winter often brings a noticeable spike in appetite and cravings.