{"id":4537,"date":"2023-10-15T18:39:10","date_gmt":"2023-10-15T18:39:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fchealth.org\/?p=4537"},"modified":"2024-10-08T17:06:35","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T17:06:35","slug":"health-nutrition-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fchealth.org\/health-nutrition-security\/","title":{"rendered":"HEALTH & NUTRITION SECURITY"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Health & Nutrition Security<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Food is the most basic of human needs; still, roughly 41 million adults and children across America live in food-insecure households \u2014 a staggering fact that sheds light on one of the nation\u2019s leading health and nutrition issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When compared with food security (defined as having access to enough food to lead an active, healthy lifestyle), nutrition security means consistent access, availability, and affordability of foods and beverages that promote well-being, prevent disease, and, if needed, treat disease \u2014 particularly among racial\/ethnic minority, lower income, and rural and remote populations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, it must be acknowledged that poverty and food and nutrition security are social determinants of health that are not only inextricably linked but also associated with some of the most serious and costly health problems in this country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

KEY CHALLENGES<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Affordability<\/em><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

The same determinants of food and nutrition security are also determinants of health \u2014 chief among them poverty. As such, maintaining good health becomes a steep challenge for those individuals who are often left to decide between consuming a nutritious diet and managing chronic disease or covering the basics like housing, utilities, and transportation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accessibility<\/em><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Neighborhoods geared toward low-income residents historically have fewer resources to promote health (such as full-service grocery stores selling fresh produce and green spaces encouraging physical activity) than higher-income neighborhoods. In turn, food insecurity disproportionately affects individuals from marginalized groups, including those from socioeconomically disadvantaged populations as well as racial and ethnic minorities. In 2021, 20% of Black\/African American households and 16% of Hispanic\/Latino households were food insecure at some point when compared with just 7% of white households during that same period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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PROMISING IDEAS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The impact of food and nutrition insecurity on health outcomes is huge: According to the United States Department of Agriculture, 600,000 Americans die each year due to diet-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and obesity \u2014 the bulk of which could be prevented given greater access to nourishing foods, nutrition education, and affordability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

increasing CONNECTION<\/em><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Screening for food insecurity and intervening with resources are a pair of critically important steps among nutrition and health care professionals, especially those who treat children; the practice has proven integral in making a positive impact on the health and well-being of vulnerable patients. Research has shown that utilizing federal nutrition programs<\/mark><\/a> not only reduces food insecurity and helps to alleviate poverty but also improves diet, protects against obesity, and boosts learning and development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

eNGAGING cOMMUNITY pARTNERS<\/em><\/h6>\n\n\n\n

Food access sites offering fresh local produce and culturally appropriate foods have been shown to elicit powerful benefits for those who utilize them. Because individuals with limited financial resources are prone to coping strategies that stretch budgets and harm their health, it is essential to engage community partners \u2014 from schools and religious organizations to pantries and meal sites \u2014 as a means of meeting individuals who are food and nutrition insecure where they are. Furthermore, community partners are often poised to provide resources and education rather than leave vulnerable populations to purchase low-cost, nutrient-poor foods.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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