The most recent report from the USDA shows that the rate of hunger for children in households with young children jumped from 4% to 8%. In raw numbers this translates to an increase from 147,000 children to 292,000 children.
Though the food insecurity rate has not changed much between 2006 and 2007, households with children under the age of six--those most vulnerable to food deprivation--saw the highest increase in the most severe form of food insecurity, now termed "very low food security."
Our research shows that food insecurity-- the lack of access to enough nutritious food for an active and healthy life--is related to an increase in developmental risk, poor child health and hospitalizations. When food insecurity is most severe, such as in very low food security--when quality and quantity of food is reduced--, the health effects are even worse.
The prognosis for these young children looks dire. These are the canaries in the coal mine of policy making. The youngest children--the most hidden from view within the USDA report, and in our public consciousness--are telling us that our policies on hunger and nutrition must see a radical change. And soon. For the USDA report, click here.
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