Minnesota Starvation Experiment

"They starved so that others be better fed."
November 19, 1944
End of WWII
Presented the first record of the physiological and psychological effects of starvation and refeeding
3 month food, 6 month semi-starvation, 3 month rehab.
High emotions if man received more food than another
1. Enthusiasm waned
  1. Men became irritable
    1. Loss of strength
      1. Became more introverted
        Decreased tolerance for the cold
        Experienced Dizziness, tiredness, muscle soreness, hair loss, reduced coordination, ringing in their ears
        Food became an obsession
        Lower sex drive
        Visible signs of starvation: sunken face and bellies, protruding ribs, edema-swollen legs, ankles, and faces
Published in Life Magazine
Rehab was the most difficult part of the experiment (reduced dizziness, apathy, lethargy)
1. None of the men were given detailed instructions on how to get back to normal
  1. Many would eat excessively
    1. Recovery ran from 2 months to 2 years

Resource summary

	Created by kaitlynholmes about 9 years ago