Neighbors Living in the Shadows

-How Food and Nutritional Insecurities Affect Their Health 

In light of March being National Nutrition Month, let us explore how our neighbor’s  health is impacted by food and nutritional insecurities. Imagine not knowing if you’ll have  enough money to buy your groceries yourself or your family for the week. Have you  ever given thought how it would be if you didn’t have adequate transportation to get to  the grocery store that is far away? Both of these are stressful and unhealthy situations  and fit under the category that 44 million Americans are in every day with food and  nutritional insecurities (Hunger in America). These individuals face real health concerns. 

To have a healthy nutrient-rich body, individuals need to have access to enough food to  be food and nutrient secure. According to the National Institute on Minority Health and  Health Disparities there are several components to having nutritional security. By  definition one has to have consistent access, availability, and affordability of foods and  beverages that promote will being, prevent disease, and if needed, treat disease.  Having food security and nutritional security are closely intertwined. If you lack the  resources to obtain sufficient food, you inevitably won’t have the necessary nutrition for  good health (Food Accessibility).  

Contributing Factors to Food and Nutritional Insecurities 

Affordability 

One large reason for food and nutritional insecurities is affordability. According to the  United States Census Bureau there are 11.6% Americans below the poverty level. This  is approaching 38 million people, which is roughly the population of the state of  California. Not having the financial resources necessary to provide food can indeed lead to significant anxiety and stress. For many this means frequently needing to make the  decision to either buy enough food or spend their money on rent, utilities, gas, etc. This  relentless high level of stress and anxiety can take a toll on a person’s mental health. 

When mental health is impacted, it can often result in the adoption of unhealthy habits  like smoking, excessive drinking, reduced physical activity, and more. These behaviors  can contribute to the development of chronic health issues over time. 

Neighborhood Infrastructure & Accessibility 

Access to nutritious food can be significantly influenced by the geographical location  where one resides. Individuals below the poverty level are more commonly found  residing in urban or rural areas (Food Insecurity). In food insecure areas, the nearest food purchasing  option is often not a full-service supermarket. In urban areas, the most accessible  places for food will be the corner convenient stores and/or fast-food chains. These  establishments often have higher prices and lack healthy food options (USAFacts). This type of food  accessibility falls under the definition of Food Swamps. A Food Swamp is defined as an  area where fast-food chains and convenient stores will densely populate an area,  swamping the neighborhoods with unhealthy eating options rather than healthy food  choices. Data has shown that food swamp areas are linked to obesity and chronic  diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease (Patient EngagementHIT). 

Distance to your food source matters. Without a personal vehicle or public  transportation, distance plays an important role in having access to proper nutritious  food. Groups most affected by a lack of transportation are those with chronic illnesses,  disabilities and/or live in rural areas. The opposite of a food swamp is a food desert and  many below the poverty level are victims of Food Deserts (USAFacts). Imagine living in a rural area  without access to transportation. The nearest grocery store is more than 10 miles away  requiring you to rely on others for transportation. During your grocery trip, you may only  have enough funds to purchase food for a few days, uncertain when you’ll be able to  make your next trip to the store. In such circumstances, prioritizing getting the most food  for the limited funds available is likely the primary concern, rather than selecting the  healthiest options. In contrast, you live in an urban setting. You are disabled and the closest food market is at least one mile away. Your stock of food is low and you are  dependent on public transportation which picks up two blocks away. Both of these  scenarios can be very stressful and fits the definition of a Food Desert. Food Desert is  defined as living in a rural area and the nearest grocery is 10 miles or more from home  or living in an urban area and the nearest food market is at least 1 mile from home (The Annie E. Casey Foundation). 

Complications That Result from Having Food and Nutritional Insecurities 

The factors contributing to food and nutritional insecurities can significantly impact the physical and mental health off those affected. Obesity is commonly seen in those with  food and nutritional insecurities. Obesity in the lower economic population is partly due  to the consumption of highly processed foods (Hunger in America). These food options typically contain high  levels of calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats and processed foods are frequently the  most affordable and most readily available. One third of the United States population  falls under the obese category, while another one third is considered to be overweight.  While not all that are obese or overweight are considered to be at poverty level, there is  a correlation between living in poverty-stricken areas with being prone to obesity (Levine).

With obesity comes a plethora of health concerns. Type 2 diabetes ranks among one of  the highest health concerns in those struggling with obesity. Diabetes can increase the  risk of developing various chronic conditions, including eye disease, chronic kidney  disease, and peripheral vascular disease, which can lead to nerve damage. Nerve  damage may result in a lack of sensation in affected areas, potentially leading to  unawareness of tissue injuries. Diabetes also slows the healing process as a result of poor circulation throughout the blood vessels. Having nerve damage, poor circulation  and slow healing can lead to losing a body part through amputation. The health risk for  those with food and nutritional insecurities are vast. High blood pressure, heart disease,  poor dental hygiene, chronic lung complications, and risk for stroke are all complications  that can result from food and nutritional insecurities. All of these physical health issues  can compile and lead to the development of mental disabilities, such as anxiety, feelings of isolation, and depression (Hunger in America).  

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Statement, Promoting Food Security  for All Children, children living with food and nutritional insecurities are at risk as well. The younger population are at jeopardy for being sick more often and have more  hospitalizations. They may start off with a lower birth weight and birth defects. There  may be developmental delays and poor dental hygiene. Without proper nutrition, a  child’s ability to concentrate in school can be impaired hindering their school  performance (Food Accessibility). Poor outcomes in school can led to a greater degree of behavioral and  emotional problems. Which, in turn, can led to a degree of health issues that will follow  them into adulthood.  

Solutions 

Are there any solutions to the problem many Americans face daily with food and  nutritional insecurities? A remedy to this problem seems so out of reach for many of us. There are actions to help address the cycle of mental and physical impact of not having the resources for affordable and nutritious food options. Increasing the use of the federal nutrition programs, such as  SNAP, WIC, and the Child Nutrition Programs can be an important start in improving the  well being of this population. More community outreach can be done to educate the  community and neighbors about non-profit programs that help feed Americans in need.  The education of these programs will lead to an increase in donors and volunteers.  Through this effort we can pave the way for nutritious food on the tables of families that are in need. 

Written by Erin Hunchman RN BSN

Works Cited

The Annie E. Casey Foundation. “Exploring America’s Food Deserts.” The Annie E. Casey Foundation, 14 Feb. 2021, www.aecf.org/blog/exploring-americas-food-deserts.

“Food Accessibility, Insecurity and Health Outcomes.” National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, www.nimhd.nih.gov/resources/understanding-health-disparities/food-accessibility-insecurity-and-health-outcomes.html. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.

“Food Insecurity.” Food Insecurity - Healthy People 2030, health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/food-insecurity#:~:text=Residents%20are%20at%20risk%20for,and%20there%20are%20fewer%20supermarkets. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.

“Hunger in America.” Feeding America, www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.

JA;, Levine. “Poverty and Obesity in the U.S.” Diabetes, U.S. National Library of Medicine, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22025771/. Accessed 12 Mar. 2024.

Levine, James A. “Poverty and Obesity in the U.S.” Diabetes, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Nov. 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3198075/.

PatientEngagementHIT. “How Food Swamps, Food Security Led to Chronic Disease, Obesity.” PatientEngagementHIT, 16 Mar. 2023, patientengagementhit.com/news/how-food-swamps-food-security-led-to-chronic-disease-obesity#:~:text=March%2020%2C%202023%20%2D%20New%20data,with%20the%20highest%20obesity%20rates.

“What Does Living at the Poverty Line Look like in the US?” USAFacts, USAFacts, 18 Sept. 2023, usafacts.org/articles/what-does-living-at-the-poverty-line-look-like/#:~:text=How%20many%20people%20are%20living,or%20below%20the%20poverty%20level.