Julie M. Moreschi, MS, RD, LDN Dietetic Internship Director Benedictine University 6 th Annual Faith & Reason Symposium HUNGER Prevalence & Consequences

1 Structure 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?

2 What 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:

3 What 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 ways The continuum of food security is divided into four ranges, characterized as follows:  High food  Marginal food  Low food  Very low food Source: us/measurement.aspxhttp:// us/measurement.aspx In 2011, 50.1 million Americans lived in food insecure households, 33.5 million adults and 16.7 million children.

4 What 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:

5 Prevalence 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: statistics.aspxhttp://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/hunger-and-poverty- statistics.aspx

6 Prevalence 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: statistics.aspxhttp://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/hunger-facts/hunger-and-poverty- statistics.aspx

7 Prevalence of Food Insecurity in the United States Map The Meal Gap america/hunger-studies/map-the-meal- gap.aspx

8 Health 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: hunger/physical-and-mental-health.aspxhttp://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/impact-of- hunger/physical-and-mental-health.aspx

9 Health Consequences of Food Insecurity An child that is food insecure can suffer from several health consequences including:  Low Birth Weight  delayed development, poorer attachment, and learning difficulties in the first two years of life  More frequent hospital visits  Higher rates of asthma and anemia  Dental problems  Poorer physical quality of life which may reduce participation in social and athletic activities  Increased behavior problems such as bullying, fighting, hyperactivity, aggression, anxiety, and moodiness Source: development.aspxhttp://feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/impact-of-hunger/child- development.aspx

10 What Can You Do?  Donate  Volunteer  Support Retention of Food Program Funding  Organize a Food Drive

For More Information… Action Against Hunger Bread for the World Institute Feeding America Feed the Future Initiative Save Food Loaves and Fishes Community Pantry No Kid Hungry Northern Illinois Food Bank Nutrition.gov (Links to a variety of food insecurity resources) programs/hunger-and-food-insecurityhttp:// 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) United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economic Research Service USDA Food Access Research Atlas World Hunger Notes Why Hunger Blog