Education

What is Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity means the lack of consistent access to enough food, that is also nutritionally adequate, for everyone in a household to live a healthy lifestyle. Although food insecurity is often associated with poverty, those who are food insecure are not necessarily living below the poverty line. The majority of households that are food insecure are unable to receive help from federal food assistance programs, forcing them to seek help from food banks, other programs, or utilize unhealthy coping mechanisms.

It is also important to note that Food Insecurity exists in different levels that describe a household’s experiences under their situation in terms of food security.

Levels of food insecurity

Food Secure: Households that are food secure have access to enough food, that is also nutritionally adequate, at all times for every member of the household. In 2020, 89.5% of all U.S households were food secure.

Food Insecure: Food insecurity is characterized by households that did not have access to enough food, or were uncertain of having access to enough food, at times throughout the year for one or more members. This includes all households with low food security, very low food security, and makes up 10.5% (13.8 million) of U.S households in 2020.

Low food security: Households with low food security often use coping mechanisms to avoid severely disrupting their nutritional habits or food intake. Some of these coping mechanisms include eating lower quality foods for the sake of affordability, receiving aid from Federal Food Assistance Programs, or receiving help from food pantries. This level of food insecurity occurred in 6.6% (8.6 million) of U.S households in the year of 2020.

Very Low food security: Very low food security occurs when at least one or more members of a household experience a decrease in their food intake, at certain times of the year, due to a lack of money or resources to obtain adequate food. 3.9% (5.1 million) of U.S households experienced this level of food insecurity in 2020.

what causes food insecurity

1) low wages.

2) lack of affordable housing

3) social isolation

4) economic/social disadvantage resulting from structural racism chronic or acute health problems

5) high medical costs

- The risk of food insecurity is increased with low incomes.

- Unemployment in low-income areas can make food insecurity more prevalent.

- Neighborhood conditions can affect food security as some rural, urban, and low-income areas may not have access to supermarkets or grocery stores that meet their needs.

The Effects of malnutrition/vitamin deficiencies

Health complications, especially when having to make the choice between buying food and paying medical expenses or bills.

Those who are faced with food insecurity have an increased risk of developing diet-related illnesses such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Food insecurity can lead to coping strategies such as choosing more affordable yet unhealthy foods, watering down food or drinks, or making trade-offs between food and expenses such as medical bills, housing, and utilities.

Food insecurity in households can also work negatively against children’s ability to learn and grow

Feeding America, Hunger and Food Insecurity