Julie M. Moreschi, MS, RD, LDNDietetic Internship DirectorBenedictine University

6th Annual Faith & Reason Symposium

HUNGERPrevalence & Consequences

1Structure of Presentation

Presentation is organized as follows:

Introduction – Definitions

Factors driving the food insecurity problem

Current State of food insecurity in the United States

Health Consequences of Food Insecurity

How Can YOU Help?

Which of These Pictures Illustrates a Person Who Is Hungry?

2What is Hunger?

Hunger is a term which has three meanings (Oxford English Dictionary 1971)

The uneasy or painful sensation caused by want of food; craving appetite. Also the exhausted condition caused by want of food.

The want or scarcity of food in a country

A strong desire or craving Source: http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm

3What is Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity is limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable waysThe continuum of food security is divided into four ranges, characterized as follows:High foodMarginal foodLow foodVery low food

Source: http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/measurement.aspx

In 2011, 50.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 33.5 million adults and 16.7 million children.

4What Are the Causes of Food Insecurity?

Food insecurity is caused by a variety of factors:

Employment instability and the lack of an adequate minimum wage

Uncertainties of Daily Life

Problems with Access and Distribution

Geography of Poverty

Source: http://www.npr.org/2005/11/22/5021812/q-a-the-causes-behind-hunger-in-america

5Prevalence of Food Insecurity in the United States

50.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 33.5 million adults and 16.7 million children.

14.9 percent of households (17.9 million households) were food insecure.

5.7 percent of households (6.8 million households) experienced very low food security.

Food insecurity exists in every county in America, ranging from a low of 5 percent in Steele County, ND to a high of 37 percent in Holmes County, MS

Source: http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/hunger-and-poverty-statistics.aspx

6Prevalence of Food Insecurity in the United States

Households with children reported food insecurity at a significantly higher rate than those without children, 20.6 percent compared to 12.2percent.

Households that had higher rates of food insecurity than the national average included

Households with children headed by single women (36.8 percent)

Single men (24.9 percent), Black non-Hispanic households (25.1

percent) Hispanic households (26.2 percent).

Source: http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/hunger-and-poverty-statistics.aspx

7Prevalence of Food Insecurity in the United States

Map The Meal Gap

http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-studies/map-the-meal-gap.aspx

8Health Consequences of Food Insecurity

An adult that is food insecure can suffer from several health consequences including:Inability to have a fully active life

Lower scores on physical and mental health exams

Increased risk of developing Diabetes

Increased risk of some cardiovascular diseases

Higher levels of aggression and anxiety

Slower developing social skills

Source: http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/impact-of-hunger/physical-and-mental-health.aspx

9Health Consequences of Food Insecurity

An child that is food insecure can suffer from several health consequences including:Low Birth Weightdelayed development, poorer attachment, and learning difficulties in the first two years of lifeMore frequent hospital visitsHigher rates of asthma and anemiaDental problemsPoorer physical quality of life which may reduce participation in social and athletic activitiesIncreased behavior problems such as bullying, fighting, hyperactivity, aggression, anxiety, and moodiness

Source: http://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/impact-of-hunger/child-development.aspx

10What Can You Do?

Donate

Volunteer

Support Retention of Food Program Funding

Organize a Food Drive

For More Information…Action Against Hunger http://www.actionagainsthunger.org/

Bread for the World Institute http://www.bread.org/

Feeding America http://feedingamerica.org/

Feed the Future http://feedthefuture.gov/

Initiative Save Food http://www.save-food.org/

Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry http://www.loaves-fishes.org/

No Kid Hungry http://www.nokidhungry.org/?gclid=CM6M38fFvbYCFZE-Mgod8zMAWA

Northern Illinois Food Bank http://solvehungertoday.org/

Nutrition.gov (Links to a variety of food insecurity resources) http://www.nutrition.gov/food-assistance-programs/hunger-and-food-insecurity

The Role of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in Improving the Health and Well-Being of Americans by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) http://frac.org/pdf/snap_and_public_health_2013.pdf

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us.aspx

USDA Food Access Research Atlas http://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas.aspx

World Hunger Notes http://www.worldhunger.org/

Why Hunger Blog http://blog.whyhunger.org/