Hunger and health

Low appetite? Know when to be concerned

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APPETITES VARY AMONG people. While no one is concerned if you eat full meals, people eating less are made to feel they are not well. Is it normal not to feel hungry, yet still be healthy? Dr Suranjit Chatterjee, senior consultant, internal medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, says: "Yes, it is possible for some people not to feel hungry very often and still remain healthy, as long as they are getting adequate nutrition and maintaining energy levels. Hunger signals vary from person to person depending on metabolism, activity level, sleep, stress, and even emotional state. For example, people with lower metabolism or those leading less physically active lifestyles may feel hungry less frequently. If weight, strength, mood, and overall health remain stable, low frequency of hunger does not always mean something is wrong. However, if lack of hunger is persistent and leads to fatigue, weight loss, or nutritional gaps, it may indicate an underlying issue such as thyroid problems, digestive concerns, stress-related conditions or other serious medical conditions. In general, as long as meals are balanced and the body's needs are met, not feeling hungry often can still fall within a normal healthy range."