3. Are starvation and cachexia the same?No. Starvation is weight loss that occurs due to chronic caloric deprivation. In starvation, the body tries to conserve energy by using up stored fat to produce energy. In cachexia the body uses protein to produce energy resulting in a disproportionate loss of muscle mass.
4. In which types of conditions is cachexia more commonly seen?Cachexia is most commonly seen in cancer affecting the gastrointestinal and respiratory system, with weight loss as high as up to 30 percent of pre-illness weight.