Food Insecurity
By the time someone experiences hunger, they may already have suffered harm. For this reason, U.S. policymakers and public health advocates have expanded their attention from a narrow focus on hunger to the broader concept of food insecurity, which includes conditions that can lead to hunger.14
Food security means having consistent access to enough safe and nutritious food, and being able to get it without resorting to emergency food programs, scavenging, or stealing.15,16 In Latin, “secure” means “without worry.” A food secure family does not worry about whether they can eat well from day to day, whereas a foodinsecure family may be forced to skip meals, be unable to afford balanced meals, or be worried their food will run out before they can afford to buy more .17
Food security in a region depends on three factors: First, does the region produce enough food for its people? Second, is the food supply stable, e.g., robust enough to weather droughts? Third, do people have physical and economic access to food?18 In the U.S., where the food supply is abundant and stable, access to food is the primary concern.
Poverty is frequently cited as the root of food insecurity. In the U.S., low-income households are much more likely to be food insecure.17 Unemployment, low wages, physical and mental illness, and other burdens can make it difficult to obtain adequate, nutritious food—particularly when food budgets must compete with other priorities, such as housing, medical, and child-care costs.19
Food insecure households may face greater health risks. Food insecurity has been linked to obesity, diabetes, nutrient deficiencies, low fruit and vegetable intake, and other indicators of unhealthy diets.19 Families that live far from supermarkets and lack reliable access to transportation may be particularly affected.20
