Final answer:
Prolonged fasting can lead to starvation and health problems when the body's fat and glycogen reserves get depleted and it starts to break down proteins. Excessive reliance on processed foods can contribute to malnutrition and related illnesses.
Step-by-step explanation:
A risk with prolonged fasting is the possibility of starvation for longer processes, as long as there is a steady supply of shorter processes. When the body experiences prolonged fasting, various metabolic adjustments occur. Initially, the liver converts glycogen into glucose to maintain blood sugar levels.
In conditions such as in winter, where the availability of food decreases, organisms must have stored energy in the form of fat to ensure survival. However, with sustained fasting beyond the body's capacity to compensate, the risk of malnutrition including both undernutrition and overnutrition becomes significant.