Food Insecurity &
The Paradox of
Hunger & Obesity in
America
Food Security
Government Definition of
Food Insecurity:
Lack of access & resources to enough food for
an active, healthy lifestyle
Hunger:
“the physiological drive for food that initiates
food-seeking behavior|”
The uneasy or painful sensation caused by a
lack of food
Food Insecurity
Low food security
People that have had to make changes
in the quality/quantity of their food
intake in order to deal with a limited
budget
Very Low food
People that have struggled with having
enough food for the household,
including cutting back/skipping meals
on a frequent basis for both adults &
children
Food Insecurity
USDA 2009 Reported:
14.7% of US households are food
insecure
9.0% of US households have low
food security
5.7% of US households have very
low food security
50.2 million people in US food
insecure, including over 17 million
children
Poverty
2010 Federal Poverty Line =
$22,050/year for a family of 4
2010 Census - **NEW DATA
46 million Americans in poverty.
(14.3%)
What are some of the consequences
of hunger on those that are in
poverty and/or are food insecure?
Health Consequences of Hunger
(CCHIP w/focus on children)
Hungry children suffer 2-4 more
times as many individual health
problems
For children, hunger can lead to
becoming ill and more absences
from school
Can stunt growth (ht for age)
Health Consequences of Hunger
(CCHIP) cont’d
Fe deficiency anemia
Developmental & behavioral
disturbances
Ability to learn
Pregnant women who are
undernourished
lbw babies – affects ability to learn
early on
Emotional impact
Obesity
Def: when energy needs exceed
energy expenditure (BMI)
BMI > 30 = obese
What are some other causes of
obesity?
Food Insecurity & Obesity
Complicated by several factors:
Genetics
Metabolism
Behavior
Environment conditions
Socioeconomic conditions
Possible Explanations
Stretching the $
Low cost food w/decreased nutritional
quality & more calories/dollar
Food Availability
Overeating
Feast & Famine
Physiological Changes
Body & efficiency of storing calories as
fat when periods of hunger & low
nutritional value of foods
Percentage
of
households
reporting
indicators
of adult
food
insecurity
Risk Factors for Obesity Associated
With Poverty
Low-income neighborhoods are
underserved by full-service
supermarkets
When available, healthy food is
more expensive
There are few opportunities for
physical activity in neighborhoods &
schools
High levels of stress & limited
access to health care can contribute
to wt gain
Hunger & Obesity Connection
How do households stave off
hunger?
Mothers → “feast & famine”
Purchase less-expensive calorie-dense foods
Studies show that participation in Federal
Nutrition programs can combat both
School Breakfast & Lunch frees up some $