Running head: FOOD INSECURITY 1

Food Insecurity

Name

Institution
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Introduction

Food insecurity continues to be a prevalent problem in the US despite an improved

economy, decreased poverty rates, and a growing median income. In 2017, over 40 million US

citizens earned less income that the nation’s poverty line that raised concerns about how the

population afforded sufficient quality food amounts throughout the year (America, 2018). In

addition, approximately 1 out of 8 people are exposed to food insecurity due to lack of money

and limited access to other resources and this disproportionately affects children. However, food

insecurity disproportionately affects Latinos and African-Americans population (Myers &

Painter, 2017). The worrying statistics indicate that food insecurity is among the leading health

and nutrition problems in the country. Food insecurity and hunger are two different things. Food

insecurity refers to the condition where individuals and households lack access to sufficient

quality food due to lack of access to money and other resources (The HSM Group, 2017). It

encompasses all underlying problems that result from lack of adequate supply of quality food.

Hunger is a food insecurity symptom but it does not cause or result to food insecurity. Food

insecure people do not know what or when they will have their next meal and the problem is

especially troubling to those experiencing it because it is an invisible problem to people those not

facing it. Hence, its impact on people and employers is widely unknown. Food insecurity comes

in diverse degrees that include lack of variety in diets, skipping meals, and struggling to meet

nutritional needs. People and households with low food security have decreased variety, quality,

and reduced food appeal in their diets but their food quantities and eating patterns are normal. On

the other hand, households and individuals with very low food security experience disruptions in

their eating patterns and may skip meals because they lacked money and limited access to other

resources. Research indicates that food insecurity negatively affects individuals, households,
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employers, and society. Food insecurity rates continue to increase and hence, the effects on these

populations continue to expand. Food insecurity in the US is a growing health and nutrition issue

and it is important to address its social determinants to eliminate health disparities among

Latinos, African-Americans, and other people of color population.

Background Information

Food Insecurity Definition

There are various measures used to define food insecurity and establish its prevalence in

the country. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) carries out survey in Food Security

Supplement of the Census Bureau Current Population Survey (CPS-FSS) to define food

insecurity. The survey contains multiple questions (eighteen items in total) that focus on whether

an individual or household is worried about food running out and whether they experience food

intake reduction due to lack of money. The survey also assesses food insecurity among children.

USDA categorizes households based in their responses to the eighteen items (Gundersen &

Ziliak, 2015). They divided into high food secure, marginal food secure, low food secure, and

very low food secure when the responses indicate that they experience food pattern disruptions

and reduced intakes. Individuals and households in low and very low food secure are deemed to

be food insecure.

Food Insecurity in the US

In the US, food insecurity rate was 11 % among households and 18 % among households

with children between 2001 and 2007. However, the rates increased by more than 30 % due to

the 2007 Great Recession (Gundersen & Ziliak, 2015). Household food insecurity increased to

15 % in 2008 and 23 % among households with children. Although the Great recession ended in

2009, food insecurity levels remain elevated in the country. Food insecure individuals and
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households have heterogeneous characteristics. Households headed by African-Americans or

Hispanics, never-married people, divorced and separated people, renters, young adults, and

people with low education levels have a higher probability of experiencing food insecurity. In

addition, households with children have a higher food insecurity probability.

Recent statistics indicate that food insecurity correlates with poverty and unemployment

rates. Economy has improved since the end of the Great recession that has reduced

unemployment, poverty, and food insecurity levels. Food insecurity level was highest between

2008 and 2014, where approximately 50 million individuals were experiencing food insecurity.

The level has declined since 2014, from 47 million people in 2014, 42 million in 2015, to 40

million in 2016 (America, 2018). However, the decline has not affected all individuals equally

and food insecurity still affects racial groups disproportionately.

However, Latinos, African-Americans, other people of color are more likely to be food

insecure than their white counterparts. 1 in 5 African-American household is likely to be food

insecure and 1 in 6 Hispanic household is likely to be food insecure. In comparison, 1 in 11

white households are likely to be food insecure. In addition, most food insecure people are in the

South (America, 2018). Currently, approximately 40 million people are concerned about

accessing sufficient food.

Food Insecurity Impacts

Millions US Latino and African-American households and individuals earn low incomes

that expose them to food insecurity. Low incomes and family structure are strong food insecurity

indicators because households with $ 25,000 income and their children are more vulnerable to

food insecurity (Myers & Painter, 2017). Food insecurity and poverty makes it difficult to

maintain good health, consume nutritious diets, and manage chronic conditions. Food insecurity
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affects individual well-being and the negative impacts have a ripple effect that spreads to

businesses and community. Food insecurity correlates to poverty and affects individuals’ overall

wellbeing. Most people experience relative poverty and people living in poverty have poorer

health outcomes and do not have access to adequate healthcare provision. Low-income

population access few resources that promote their health outcomes and exposed to more

environmental harm that affects their health (Hartline-Grafton, 2017). They are to experience

food insecurity from early childhood and the implications progress into adulthood. They are also

a higher risk for to diverse health problems such as poor micronutrient intake, obesity, diabetes,

stress, poor oral health, and depression. These aspects their quality of life and decreases their life

expectancy where they are more likely to experience early mortality. Food insecurity affects

overall health outcomes of children, adults, and older people alike and directly affects their

physical and mental health. The effects are more profound among children because it detriments

their health, affects their development, and interferes with their overall well-being that is

associated with short-term and long-term negative consequences.

Among children in these populations, food insecurity increases birth defects risk, anemia,

poor nutrient intake, anxiety, and cognitive issues. It increases hospitalization risks and general

poor health, where children are exposed behavioral issues, stress and depression, deteriorating

oral health, suicide ideation. Children in food insecure households have higher probability of

contracting anemia and general poor health than children in food secure households (Gundersen

& Ziliak, 2015). Among non-senior adults, food insecurity leads to reduced nutrient intake,

higher mental health problems level, depression, obesity, diabetes, insomnia, and poor general

health. Food insecurity affects women more than men and they are likely to exhibit higher

mental health problems rates. Among senior adults, food insecurity decreases their nutrient
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intake that leads to general poor health. They are also likely to experience depression and

declined physical activities compared to their food secure counterparts. Overall, food insecurity

has adverse healthcare outcomes that affect an individual’s overall well-being.

Food insecurity also affects businesses and it is an invisible challenge to business

organizations because it impacts workforce productivity. Productivity levels correlate to

availability and consumption of safe and nutritious meals. A hungry employee or a person

experiencing negative food insecurity impacts such as chronic diseases is likely to be absent.

Even they report to work, they have decreased productivity levels. Time lost due to absenteeism

and decreased productivity is a business cost and healthcare costs for food insecurity health

complications are insurance costs (The HSM Group, 2017). Food insecurity also increases

chronic diseases prevalence such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes that increases societal burden in

healthcare expenses. Research indicates that food insecure people opt to consume cheap and

highly palatable meals, but they have high calorie content that increases obesity and diabetes

among them. In addition, these people overconsume during end months because they have

enough money but they do not have sufficient funds to cover them for the rest of the month. This

results in weight gain and chronic diseases development. Hence, food insecurity is a direct and

indirect social cost.

Food Insecurity Social Determinants

Food insecurity is a multi-faceted problem that has multiple causes. Food insecurity

among individuals and households in the Latino, African-American population is not limited to

poverty and lack of money alone but there are other overlapping causes such as location, chronic

health conditions, housing, and social isolation. However, poverty and unemployment are the

leading food insecurity causes (America, 2018). Majority Latino and African-American
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population are employed in low-income job groups and their income falls below the poverty line

(Myers & Painter, 2017). Hence, they cannot sufficiently afford quality and nutritious meals

consistently. Poverty also makes them experience difficulties in accessing other resources that

would promote their health outcomes and hence, they cannot adequately cope with problems that

emanate from food insecurity effects. In addition, the majority is unemployed and hence, they

lack money and other necessary resources that would guarantee consistent meals. Historically,

the population is underrepresented in employment and their unemployment rates are consistently

higher than their white counterparts throughout history. In 2020, Hispanic and African-American

unemployment rates was over 13 % and 11 % respectively while white unemployment was 7 %

(Economic Policy Institute, 2021). Majority of the employed population take low-paying jobs.

Poverty and unemployment rates are higher in these populations that exposes them

disproportionate food insecurity.

Summary

Food insecurity is a prevalent problem that affects Latinos and African-American

population disproportionately. The disparity results from interconnected web of many social

factors but poverty and unemployment are the main social determinants that expose Latinos and

African-Americans to disproportionate food insecurity. Solving the food insecurity problem

requires eliminating it. Hence, it is important to address social determinants that promote food

insecurity among the population. The government should create programs that seek to alleviate

poverty among the Latino and African-American populations and ensure that they are equally

represented in employment.
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References

America, F. (2018). Food insecurity and poverty in the United States: Findings from the USDA

and US Census Bureau.

Economic Policy Institute. (2021). State unemployment by race and ethnicity. Retrieved 2021,

from https://www.epi.org/indicators/state-unemployment-race-ethnicity/

Gundersen, C., & Ziliak, J. P. (2015). Food insecurity and health outcomes. Health

affairs, 34(11), 1830-1839.

Hartline-Grafton, H. (2017). The Impact of Poverty, Food Insecurity, and Poor Nutrition on

Health and Well-Being.

Myers, A. M., & Painter, M. A. (2017). Food insecurity in the United States of America: an

examination of race/ethnicity and nativity. Food Security, 9(6), 1419-1432.

The HSM Group. (2017). An Invisible Problem: Food Insecurity.