Food insecure is USDA measure of lack of access at times to enough food for an active
healthy life for all household members and limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.
Food insecure households are not necessarily food insecure all the time. It may reflect a household’s need to make tradeoffs between important basic needs, such as housing or medical bills and purchasing nutritious food
In Caroline County within the Food Insecure population:
Income bands reflect percentages of federally established poverty line which varies with family size. These percentages are used to set eligibility thresholds for nutrition programs. The chart below the income bands relates these bands to household income based on number of people in the family
Although related food insecurity and poverty are not the same. Poverty rates are determined by number of members in household and annual income. We know 50% of food insecure households live above 185% poverty rate. 185% is only $40,793 for a family of four. In areas with high living costs these resources can be drained.
What is the safety net for people who are food insecure :
Thesholds below national average. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistantce Program) is formerly the food stamps program.
States can increase thresholds to 200% of the provery level. This increases a person's eligibility.
Dollars needed – A county multiplier weights the national average of additional money a food insecure person reports needing to meet his/her food needs. To calculate the additional money, you multiply the weekly amount by the number food insecure in the county than by 52 weeks and then by 60%, the average portion of the year in which a food secure person experiences food insecurity.
Average cost of a meal – The Nielsen company created a county-level multiplier to reflect local cost of food. To develop the average cost of meal, the multiplier is used to weight the national average amount spent on a meal by the food secure.
The potential consequences of food insecurity regarding physical and mental health
In 2010, 32.6 million adults in the United States experienced food insecurity. Food insecurity can have wide-ranging detrimental consequences on the physical and mental health of adults, including more vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and seniors. Lack of access to a nutritious and adequate food supply has implications not only for the development of physical and mental disease, but also behaviors and social skills. Physical Health
Food insecurity in adults is associated with a variety of negative physical health outcomes.
• Food insecure adults between the ages of 18 and 65 and seniors over age 65[ may receive fewer nutrients, which may hinder their ability to live a full and active life.
• Food insecurity is associated with lower scores on physical and mental health exams.
• Food insecure adults have an increased risk of developing diabetes.
• Food insecurity is associated with a range of chronic illnesses such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and various cardiovascular risk factors.
Mental Health Food insecurity in adults has a demonstrated relationship with a number of mental health issues and human behavior problems.
• Food insecure adults may experience higher levels of aggression and anxiety.
• Food insecurity has also been correlated with slower developing social skills.
Maternal Health Food insecurity may be detrimental to the health of expectant mothers as it is associated with a range of physical and mental complications.
• Food insecure mothers may receive fewer nutrients and experience long term physical health problems.
• Food insecure women may be at greater risk of major depression and other mental health problems.