27įood assistance programs, such as the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), address barriers to accessing healthy food. 12, 25, 26 In addition, reduced frequency, quality, variety, and quantity of consumed foods may have a negative effect on children’s mental health. 23, 24, 25 They also face a higher risk of developmental problems compared with food-secure children. 22 Food-insecure children may also be at an increased risk for a variety of negative health outcomes, including obesity. 21 Another study found higher rates of chronic disease in low-income, food-insecure adults between the ages of 18 years and 65 years. For example, a study found that food-insecure adults may be at an increased risk for obesity. 20Īdults who are food insecure may be at an increased risk for a variety of negative health outcomes and health disparities. 15, 16, 19 A study in Detroit found that people living in low-income, predominantly Black neighborhoods travel an average of 1.1 miles farther to the closest supermarket than people living in low-income predominantly White neighborhoods. 16 Groups who may lack transportation to healthy food sources include those with chronic diseases or disabilities, residents of rural areas, and some racial/ethnicity groups. 16 Lack of access to public transportation or a personal vehicle limits access to food. Residents are at risk for food insecurity in neighborhoods where transportation options are limited, the travel distance to stores is greater, and there are fewer supermarkets. 16, 18 Access to healthy foods is also affected by lack of transportation and long distances between residences and supermarkets or grocery stores. 17 Convenience stores may have higher food prices, lower-quality foods, and less variety of foods than supermarkets or grocery stores. 16 Predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods may have fewer full-service supermarkets than predominantly White and non-Hispanic neighborhoods. 15 For example, people living in some urban areas, rural areas, and low-income neighborhoods may have limited access to full-service supermarkets or grocery stores. Neighborhood conditions may affect physical access to food. 2 Potential factors influencing these disparities may include neighborhood conditions, physical access to food, and lack of transportation. Among Hispanic households, the prevalence of food insecurity was 17.2 percent compared to the national average of 10.5 percent. In 2020, Black non-Hispanic households were over 2 times more likely to be food insecure than the national average (21.7 percent versus 10.5 percent, respectively). 13, 14 Racial and ethnic disparities exist related to food insecurity. 12 Disabled adults may be at a higher risk for food insecurity due to limited employment opportunities and health care-related expenses that reduce the income available to buy food. 10 In addition, children with unemployed parents have higher rates of food insecurity than children with employed parents. 10 High unemployment rates among low-income populations make it more difficult to meet basic household food needs. 2 Unemployment can also negatively affect a household’s food security status. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 In 2020, 28.6 percent of low-income households were food insecure, compared to the national average of 10.5 percent. The risk for food insecurity increases when money to buy food is limited or not available. 4, 5, 6 It may be influenced by a number of factors, including income, employment, race/ethnicity, and disability. Very low food security: “Reports of multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.”įood insecurity may be long term or temporary.Little or no indication of reduced food intake.” Low food security: “Reports of reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet.The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) divides food insecurity into the following 2 categories: 1 2 Food insecurity does not necessarily cause hunger, i but hunger is a possible outcome of food insecurity. 1 In 2020, 13.8 million households were food insecure at some time during the year. Food insecurity is defined as a household-level economic and social condition of limited or uncertain access to adequate food.
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