Food insecurity is already affecting 12 million U.S. households

The evidence is clear: as food prices increase, households must increase their budgets for food even further. The people must make tough decisions about the type of food they consume and how much food they consume.

In many instances, when budgets for the household are tight, consumers are forced to change their spending towards food items that are less expensive. In the U.S., Cheaper foods are typically less nutritious for your health in that they are higher in calories and deficient in nutrients and vitamins.

How can food insecurity impact the health of people?

Hilary Sligman Since the previous few decades, we’ve witnessed the impact of food security on significant effect on physical health as well as mental wellbeing, whether older or younger adults.

The cheaper food items tend to be extremely processed and nutritionally deficient, food items that are shelf-stable. We know that these foods are harmful to individuals’ health over the long run. They can lead to overweight as well as the development of diabetes, coronary illness, or possibly cancer.

It is also known that if you are in a food-insecure household, it is difficult to pay for other items which are beneficial to good health. For instance, it could make it harder to pay for your copayment, visit your primary physician, or take your medication.

About 12% of the U.S. population relies on the SNAP program. Scott Heins via Getty Images News

How can food insecurity impact your success at school or work?

Hilary Seligman: We are aware that food insecurity is linked to low academic performance in children..

Parents are likely to be aware of the manner in which their children act when hungry. The same thing happens in school settings when kids arrive at school having not had the chance to eat a nutritious breakfast.

There is evidence to suggest that food insecurity is linked with difficulties with school behavior ,school absences, and low academic performance. This can have long-lasting effects on children.

The same thing occurs when it comes to adults. Adults living in households that are food insecure are less likely to work a decent amount of hours of work to cover their family’s financial needs. They’re less likely to commit a large number of time searching for work as finding food requires lots of time and lots of energy.

Do you have any common myths regarding the subject of hunger?

Hilary Sligman Another of the myths is that people who suffer from food insecurity do not want access to a healthy diet.

In a lot of or even the majority of instances, it is evident that people of every income typically would like to have access to an improved diet. However, in households that are facing hunger, eating a more nutritious diet is not feasible financially.

Many people who live in food-insecure households think of fruits and vegetables as expensive items. They will only buy the fruits or vegetables they like when they have more money available. One of the main things we need to be aware of is the assumption that those who have lower incomes do not wish to adhere to the right diet.

What else can you do to decrease or remove the problem of food security?

Hilary Seligman One of the most effective solutions for people who are insecure about food is the SNAP program, which was formerly known as the food stamps program.

It is obvious that SNAP has been extremely effective in promoting the security of food for U.S. households. Any action that hinders accessibility to SNAP or renders it harder to join SNAP will cause an increase in levels of food insecurity in the United States.

A good example is the requirements for work which will force people to leave the Program SNAP and will likely raise the rate of food insecurity.

Earned income tax credits can protect families from food insecurity. The emergency stimulus checks we witnessed in the COVID pandemic also shield families.