Food Insecurity amid the Pandemic

By: Nicole Lavelle

As COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the United States entering the winter season, lockdowns, closings, and shutdowns are inevitable. A second wave means different things for Americans. Businesses are shutting down, unemployment is up, and millions of Americans are facing food insecurity. Food insecurity is currently at extremely high levels, which can have disastrous effects on people’s health in the future.

According to the FDA, food insecurity is a lack of a consistent access to enough food for a healthy life. Prior to the pandemic, food insecurity was the lowest it had even been since the great recession. According to Feeding America, 37 million people were impacted by food insecurity prior to the pandemic, however, that number is currently estimated to be 54 million.

Additionally, a projected 17 million of those people are children. Food insecurity is something no child should have to experience growing up. With the stress of academics, sports, and social life the last thing a child should worry about is if they will go to bed starving. Especially if food insecurity will have negative health effects going into their adulthood.

Food insecurity can lead people in lower income areas to gravitate towards foods low in nutritional value and high in saturated fats and sugars since they are usually cheaper in price.

This includes packaged cereals, cookies, and fast food. The foods, while fine if enjoyed in moderation, can negatively affect health if eaten all the time. Since nutrition and health are closely correlated, the pandemic is worsening the health of people: more specifically, people in rural communities, adults with disabilities, and adults without high school diplomas. This is increasing the risk of cancer, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Organizations, such as Feeding America, are trying their best to combat the ongoing food insecurity crisis amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Hopefully, through their resources a plan of action will be created.

Sources

h ttps://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america

h ttps://www.npr.org/2020/09/27/912486921/food-insecurity-in-the-u-s-by-the-numbers

h ttps://www.aamc.org/news-insights/54-million-people-america-face-food-insecurity-during-pan
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