Nutrition and Food Insecurity

Talking Points from the SRCD Briefs

• Food insecurity affects one in six households with children, and nearly one-third of households led by single mothers (as of 2016).
• Though geographically concentrated, all states except North Dakota have food insecurity rates surpassing 12% (as of 2015).
• Food insecurity affects children and their parents: 
  • Infants and toddlers: iron deficiency & anemia, poor health, & hospitalization.
  • School-age children: less likely to have social and emotional skills, more likely to internalize and externalize behavior problems, more likely to be suspended.
  • Parents: higher likelihood of depression and anxiety, likely to use harsh discipline.
• Food Assistance Programs have worked to reduce child food insecurity:
  • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) has reduced child food insecurity in eligible households by 63%. 
  • The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) has reduced prevalence of poor health in children by at least 29%. 
  • The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) has reduced food insecurity in eligible households by 20%.