People do not need food as much as they do water. In fact, they can survive quite a long time without it depending on many factors. History has shown that people can go on for weeks without eating anything. Indian leader Gandhi once fasted for three weeks. According to medical experts people can survive without food for up to two months, as long as they have enough to drink. If you are strong and in good physical shape you are likely to survive longer, because the body stores fat, carbohydrates and other forms of energy. That is why fatter people can survive longer.
Surviving without food also depends on how fast a person burns food. Those who use up food energy faster will probably not survive as long as those who burn food more slowly. Climate also plays an important role in survival. Cold weather makes you use up more energy. A hot climate allows you to go on longer without replacing food.
Eating too little for a long time causes your body to react in some special ways. It may lead to physical weakness or confusion. After many weeks without food your body organs can fail one after the other.