Final answer:
Especially vulnerable groups to undernutrition include pregnant women, children, and individuals living in poverty or food deserts. Children face severe health risks from nutrient deficiencies, while uneven global food distribution exacerbates undernutrition among the poor.
Step-by-step explanation:
Groups that are especially vulnerable to undernutrition include pregnant women, children, individuals living in poverty, and those affected by wealth inequalities and residing in food deserts. Specific groups such as vegetarians, vegans, and people with health issues that affect their ability to eat may also face higher risks. Undernutrition in children can lead to severe complications such as wasting and stunting, and in pregnant women, it can harm fetal development. A commonality among different regions is that undernutrition is less about food availability and more about cost, distribution, education, and poverty.
Children are at greater risk of undernutrition due to their need for nutrients to support growth and development. Malnourished children often suffer from micronutrient deficiencies like iron, vitamin A, and iodine, which can lead to anemia, weakened immune systems, and cognitive impairments. Urban populations may also be vulnerable to undernutrition due to reliance on staple foods, leading to specific deficiency diseases. Although there is enough food globally, uneven distribution and access issues due to poverty result in significant undernutrition and contribute to the perpetual cycle of poverty.