"This week, more than 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, are set to lose their monthly food benefits as part of the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Many of these Americans struggle with food insecurity, which is the lack of stable access to food due to limited money or other resources. SNAP is a lifeline for millions of families with young children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those who work but do not make a living wage."
"The grocer in my rural South Dakota hometown posted this week about the real effects of food insecurity on rural communities. He mentioned that he keeps stores open past midnight on SNAP disbursement days, as many parents are there to get "their first real food in days." With rising food costs, SNAP is often not enough to keep families fed each month."
"Child food insecurity is associated with a two times greater risk for fair or poor health (compared to good or excellent health) in childhood, as well as a 1.4 times greater risk of child asthma. Greater food insecurity also predicts greater increases in body mass over time, suggesting that food security may reduce the risk for obesity. A compelling study of over 1,000 U.S. children showed that food insecurity in early childhood led to greater cardiovascular risk in adulthood."
More than 42 million Americans, including 16 million children, face immediate loss of SNAP benefits if funding stops. SNAP provides essential food assistance for families with young children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and low-wage workers. Rural grocery observations show some families rely on SNAP disbursement days to obtain food, and rising food costs make monthly benefits insufficient. Child food insecurity doubles the risk of fair or poor health in childhood, increases asthma risk by about 1.4 times, predicts greater weight gain and obesity risk, and is linked to higher cardiovascular risk in adulthood. Food insecurity also correlates with increased child depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems.
Read at Psychology Today
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