This article covers:
The difference between feeling full and being properly nourished
How poor diet affects physical and mental health
The socio-economic barriers behind food quality and possible solutions
When talking about food poverty, we often only think about missing portions or the total absence of food. However, in reality, this problem is much deeper than that. Visiting Bologna in October 2025 as part of the CLYMACT Youth Ambassador program was an eye-opening event in this question. We collaborated with the representatives of four other European countries to talk about this issue from different cultural and economic viewpoints. For me, the most interesting aspect was how the quality of food we consume affects our health.
Food poverty is not only about the question quantity -the calorie intake- but also the quality- the nutritional value. There is sharp distinction to be made between satiety (the feeling of being full) and nourishment (the intake of essential nutrients). The concept of a “nutritional gap” occurs when individuals consume high volumes of calories without receiving important vitamins and minerals. One of the main causes for this is that people often do not have the means to buy quality ingredients or food. When these are financially out of reach, people are forced to rely on cheap, ultra-processed foods. This leads to a dangerous cycle of malnutrition despite having an adequate caloric intake.
That is obvious, that the quality of food affects our physical health. There is a direct link between a diet consisting of low-quality food that is high in sugars and the rise of non-communicable diseases like Type 2 diabetes. Beyond these conditions, the lack of several micro and macronutrients can also cause long term deficiencies in the immune system and physical development. When we suffer from a loss of quality nutrients, the body loses its ability to defend itself against illnesses, turning a social issue into a public health crisis.
What is often overlooked is how quality food is in connection with mental health and cognitive function . The “gut-brain axis” shows that the poor nutrition directly has an impact on mood regulation and impairs cognitive function. Beyond the biological consequences, the psychological stress of “food insecurity” is a significant factor that affects focus and productivity, especially within the youth and developing bodies. So when we lack access to fresh, quality food, it becomes hard to manage stress and stay motivated throughout the day. This leads to a cycle where poor nutrition leads to poor mental well-being which makes escaping this situation even more challenging.
Ultimately, these issues are caused by social and economic barriers. High-quality, fresh food is often marketed as a luxury rather than a basic human right. To overcome this problem, it is important to combine education with policy changes that ensure that everyone can access nutritious food. My experience in Bologna strengthened my belief that true social justice cannot be achieved until everyone is properly nourished, not just fed
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The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The following roles are currently available:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The following roles are currently available:
The role consists of:
Produce written or verbal content that is clear and persuasive for our target audience for various platforms in a way that is consistent with our brand strategy and voice (articles, blogs, podcasts, newsletter texts, etc.).
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Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications required, however, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
The role consists of:
Location: This role can be done in Budapest (Hungary) or remotely, from anywhere in the world.
Qualifications: No formal qualifications are required. However, the candidate should have previous demonstrable experience.
Skills and requirements:
