Food and Resources
Food Insecurity: A Health Issue By Jennifer Yoon RDN, LDN, IBCLC
Food Insecurity is the state of being without reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food such as fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. More than 15 million households nationwide live every day with hunger or food insecurity as their constant companion. According to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank, food insecurity affects more than 350,000 people – or one in seven adults – in our region. Food Insecurity exists not only due to financial constraints, but also food accessibility. A ‘food desert’ is defined as a general unavailability of healthful food at a reasonable price, and may exist in urban or rural areas. A ‘food mirage’ or ‘food swamp’ refers to an area where the available food is of low nutritional value. Much of the food available in these areas is high fat junk food with limited nutritional content.
10
AHN Pediatrics-Pediatric Alliance • Spring 2021 • www.ahnpediatrics.org
Vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, ethnic minorities, and low-income households are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, despite the extensive private and public food safety net in the United States, according to a new report by RTI International. Food Insecurity results in poor diet quality which increases risk for obesity, chronic disease, and healthcare expenditures. In children, food insecurity has a negative impact on
