According to Feeding America, 66% of Americans had to choose between food and medical care. In the same 2014 Hunger in America study, 79% purchase food that is inexpensive and unhealthy over nutritious options. Unfortunately, many of us have hard choices because of medical bills or simply choose not to get the care we need due to the more pressing need to feed our families. Food insecurity is a bigger problem than most realize and, for many families, causes much more than hunger pains.
What is Food Insecurity?
First, we should define food insecurity. The definitions are relatively simple, but the concepts have profound effects on various populations throughout the country. These definitions are provided by the US Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service.
- Low food security is the “reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet.” There may be “little or no indication of reduced food intake.” This used to be called “food insecurity without hunger.”
- Very low food security is “multiple indications of disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake.” This used to be called “food insecurity with hunger.”
The Committee on National Statistics recommended the changes to these definitions to better represent the problems many Americans face every day. The committee also helps to oversee the methods used to measure food insecurity. Studies often examine economic and social influences on nutrition, along with insights from nutritionists and statisticians.
What Factors Affect Food Insecurity?
The US Department of Health and Human Services promotes Healthy People 2030. This initiative has several objectives, all designed to call attention to issues with the highest public health burden. One of those objectives is food insecurity. They have determined several factors affecting food insecurity and aim to reduce their impact on those most affected by them.
Income
Income affects food insecurity in several key ways, from the inability to afford groceries to lack of access in addition to the stress placed on breadwinners to provide for their families with fewer resources. Let’s take a closer look.
Low-income neighborhoods frequently have limited access to grocery stores stocked with fresh produce and to larger retail outlets offering affordable food options. With fewer food stores to shop from, prices at such stores are typically higher. They can also force residents to shop at discount retailers that don’t specialize in food sales or convenience stores with higher food prices. Some food support programs like WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) only cover specific types or brands of foods. If these are not available, substitutions are rarely allowed.
Transportation also becomes a factor for those with low income. Many families without access to personal transportation rely on public transit, even to get their groceries. This limits the amount of food they can purchase at any one time and also the types of food, as transporting food long distances can take time. Cold foods can easily spoil or melt, especially in warm weather, on a crowded bus. Children may not have fresh milk and other foods recommended for healthy growth and development, both physical and mental.
With lower income comes the stress of stretching the dollar, including paying the bills and feeding the family. Added stress can affect your mental health and mental health struggles can make it harder to manage your money, creating a spiral from which many have a hard time breaking free.
Employment
Employment is a direct reflection of income and therefore has a significant impact on food insecurity. Low-income neighborhoods rarely have enough job opportunities to support the number of working-age residents in the area. The job opportunities that are available rarely pay a livable wage. Sometimes requiring multiple members of the same household to work several jobs in order to support everyone in the family. With long hours in jobs that may be hazardous to one’s health, workers feel the effects both short- and long-term, increasing their risk factors for various health conditions.
For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic, many low-wage workers faced some of the most dangerous conditions, frequently working as cashiers, cooks, laborers, or in various healthcare positions. Many of those who lost their jobs worked in such low-wage positions and faced job and food insecurity as a result.
Residents in low-income neighborhoods must travel well outside of their immediate area for work, especially for higher-paying positions, adding to the time spent away from home to earn income. Families affected by food insecurity must spend money on public transportation or ride-sharing, instead of food.
Additional Information
For more information regarding factors of food insecurity and its consequences, visit this article on the Black Health Matters. Food insecurity is a complex and pervasive issue that affects millions of Americans, particularly those in low-income households. The difficult choices between basic necessities like food and medical care highlight the severe impact of income disparities on health and well-being. Obtaining food security requires a multifaceted approach that includes improving access to healthy food options, increasing income support, and providing comprehensive community resources.
At The Difference App, we understand that maintaining a healthy lifestyle isn’t just about the choices you make—it’s also about the resources available to you. Our goal is to empower individuals by providing practical tools and guidance for weight management, food security, and overall wellness, regardless of financial barriers. We believe that with the right support, everyone can make small, meaningful changes that add up to significant improvements in health. Visit our site here, and consider viewing our blog, where we go into depth on the world of weight management and health wellness. Find an article for you, whether it’s managing sleep, exploring fasting methods, or making weight loss easy.