Food Insecurity

Do you have to worry about where your next meal will come from?

[kellizentz]

I found this study to be interesting. I believe that portion sizes have truly changed and most individuals do not know what actual portion sizes are. Take for instance going out to a restaurant for dinner and ordering pasta. Generally that plate of pasta is filled and you can’t even finish half of...

[danibrag]

It really is ridiculous how large the portions have become in today's society. I honestly don't think we as Americans know what a serving size is, we are so used to the large portions we are served everywhere we go. I think if portion sizes can be taught starting at an early age, it would help our obesity rates in the United States.

[danibrag]

Food Insecurity Among the Elderly.. No one is safe from food insecurity, especially not the elderly. From 2001- 2007 the number of food insecure seniors in the United States increased over 2 million individuals. The cause of food insecurity of seniors is constantly being researched through surveys and studies, and comes out to a few common factors. Geographic location, age, grandkids, and renting all contribute to and increase risk of food insecurity. In one study done by the Meals on Wheels Association of America, it was found that 9 of the top 10 states with the highest number of food insecure seniors were in the south. They also found that seniors who lived alone were much more likely to be food insecure. Another factor that contributes to food insecurity among seniors is retirement funds. Some people think they have enough but it is in the stock market and they end up loosing it or things change and they have more expenses than they expected. Most seniors are at a time in their lives where they no longer have a steady income from working, so they face new challenges. There are many great programs for seniors facing food insecurity such as food stamps, food banks, and meals on wheels. If more seniors could become aware of these programs, food insecurity would be improved. http://www.mowaa.org/document.doc?id=193

[danibrag]

Food insecurity leads directly to sickness.

The countless number of Americans that are food insecure in our country greatly rely on programs such as SNAP and WIC to get them through the day, week, month, or year. Without these programs they would be left with no help and support, and therefore no food on their tables. As amazing as these programs are and as much as they help, there are some downfalls that drastically effect the food insecure population.

Food insecure families in the United States are more likely to become sick and have to be hospitalized. There are many reasons for this including the fact that they get their stipends or money only once a month through SNAP. By the end of the month, they are often running very low or have completely run out. CBS News did an article pertaining to this topic and they shared the statistic that food insecure Americans are 27% more likely to be hospitalized for low blood sugar at the end of the month than at the beginning, due to shortages of food.

The prevalence of diabetes also increases within low-income food insecure households. This is often due e to their limited amount of money to buy fresh and healthy foods. When they are on such a strict budget, they are more likely to buy cheaper and less healthy foods to stretch their dollars. As the government decides whether or not to cut the budget of the SNAP program, they have to realize that the more they lower the budget, the more costs of health care are going to increase.

Nutrition directly effects the health of us as people, and that's something that needs to be understood.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-poverty-and-food-insecurity-make-people-sick/

[lesleyfrazier12]

I feel that there is a lot of attention on calories when it comes to weight loss, but the amount of energy that a food gives you is key to understanding for maintaining or losing weight. Weight gain is a symptom to a bigger problem of unhealthiness. Counting calories all day long is not a healthy...

[danibrag]

I could not agree more. I think the number one thing everyone thinks of is cutting calories = weight loss. I myself have believed that at one point, but it really entails so much more. I think a big part of the problem is that people become obsessed with calories and calorie counting and it consumes their lives. Great post!

[kellizentz]

Childhood obesity is a growing problem in our country. How much can the United States government actually do to help change it? Is this even a government problem? I think the government can help with things like public school lunches and before and after school meals but I also think it is up to...

[danibrag]

I completely agree that this is a huge issue and the government needs to be involved in making a change. I also see though that this is a huge step to take and it is going to take a lot of time, policies, and money. I think as time goes on, more and more actions will be taken.

[danibrag]

Food Insecurity and Pregnancy Food insecurity effects people off all ages and lifestyles, but pregnant women are at higher risk. Food insecurity in pregnant women is linked to more weight gain and mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and lower self-esteem. Weight gain is an issue with food insecurity because pregnant women need more calories and minerals and vitamins. Often times money goes farther if unhealthy foods are purchased, which seems to happen with food insecure house holds. Low income house holds can get support from WIC, but food stamps do not increase in level until the child has been born. This could prove a serious issue for pregnant women relying on food stamps throughout pregnancy. A study I found online evaluated food insecure pregnant women and the results were upsetting. They found that food insecure pregnant women were more likely to have at least one mental health disorder and at a significantly higher risk for weight gain. 36% of the 606 food insecure women were on WIC and 16% on food stamps. Over 14% of the women reported either borrowing food from people or getting it from a church or food bank. They also found that the women were more likely to be food insecure if they had a lower income, less education, and were single. Food insecurity in pregnant women puts their children at risk for birth defects and malnutrition. It is a vital time as a child is developing and it is important pregnant women have enough food and healthy food. http://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nancy_Dole/publication/7405695_Psychosocial_factors_and_socioeconomic_indicators_are_associated_with_household_food_insecurity_among_pregnant_women/links/0c960525edb422ac0e000000

[lesleyfrazier12]

It’s well known that your mood can influence your food decision, but it’s also true that what you eat also affects your mood. How can your diet put you in a good mood? And how can your food encourage bad moods or even depression?

Things to avoid:

Genetically modified foods- they can...

[danibrag]

It is scary glyphosate is bad for our health yet it is used worldwide on items mostly everyone consumes. It really makes you think. I also think it is so interesting chocolate is being called the new anti-anxiety drug and I wonder how effective it is at altering moods. I will have to look into it more.

[lindlaub]

VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen your body can use during exercise. Improving your VO2 max can improve your performance. Increasing how much air you move into your lungs, as well as the blood volume pumped by a single stroke of your heart, and the muscle’s ability to extract oxygen as it...

[danibrag]

I've never really thought of yoga as a way to allow more air into your body and open up your lungs. Working out increases your blood volume, which allows for more oxygen in your blood also!

[danibrag]

Food Insecurity: Why?

An article in the Huffington Post caught my attention with one phrase, "We have enough food to feed every person in the world." We hear about hunger,malnutrition, and food insecurity all over our world and we assume its due to lack of food. In reality there is enough food to go around, it is just not in the right places or affordable enough. This article talks about the children in India and shares the shocking fact that 3.1 million children die there every year due to food insecurity and malnutrition. Malnutrition in children directly affects their cognitive abilities. Food insecurity and malnutrition in other countries are addressed and it is explained that much of this is due to environmental issues. Droughts, floods, and other natural disasters all take a tole on the food being produced and grown in these areas which leads to less food available and more food insecurity. We need to realize that people who are food insecure and undernourished are not at fault. Many times it is due to situational circumstances that are out of their control and it needs to be taken into the hands of people who can deliver and distribute food. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/vanessa-thevathasan/the-impact-of-food-insecurity_b_5999772.html

[lesleyfrazier12]

If you want to build muscle and lose fat, you need to know what to eat and when to eat it so that your body can make the best use of the nutrients that you consume.

The science behind nutrient timing is linked to the hormone insulin, which is responsible for muscle growth, bone growth, fat loss,...

[danibrag]

It is interesting to see the information all laid out in that format. It really brings up valid points, including why carbs should be limited due to an excess turning into stored fat. Another part that stuck out to me was the chart stating what happens to your body if you skip a meal or work out on an empty stomach. I was unaware that your body burns muscle and stores fat in this instance. It's good to know what and when to eat.

[lindlaub]

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i5YqGBhqdDY/TyOWW032j4I/AAAAAAAAFbs/oOSeCrnFbQE/s1600/drinking-water.jpg

As I am sure everyone has heard multiple times, you need to drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day. This need for water increases as your physical activity increases. When you...

[danibrag]

This post made me stop and think because it is not very often we think about over hydration being a problem, when all we ever hear about is dehydration. I think it is easier than we realize to consume large amounts of water during exercise, especially when we get overheated. I thought it was also important that you pointed out we need to start preparing our bodies hours before we even exercise.

[danibrag]

The Feds and Their Food Insecurity Numbers... How is food insecurity measured? Is it the same as hunger? What is the difference? Most average americans probably couldn't tell you the difference between food insecurity and hunger, I know I couldn't before I started doing research on this topic. The Wall Street Journal posted an article about the Feds in the US and how they measure food insecurity and the issues they see surfacing. The USDA defines food insecurity as, "uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food." They also add that even though a household is food insecure they may have had an adequate amount of food, just not of adequate quality. SNAP, supplemental nutrition assistance program, is used widely in the United States to help food insecure households obtain enough healthy foods and therefore lower food insecurity all together. This article shares their doubts about SNAP and why they don't think it is working effectively. Fromm 2007-2013 almost 20 million more americans registered and used SNAP, but the food insecurity in America rose from 1.1% in 2007 to 14.3% in 2013. This raises a lot of questions and congress stated that they feel they do not have enough information on how SNAP is being used and what types and amounts of food are being purchased with it. No matter the facts, statistics, and bias opinions, America does suffer from food insecurity and hunger and it needs to be addressed and changed. http://online.wsj.com/articles/james-bovard-how-the-feds-distort-their-food-insecurity-numbers-1409786373

[nutritionforcriticalcare]

Poor nutritional intake during critical illness can lead to infections and mortality. This study published in 2011 discusses the roles of necessary nutrients that preserve tissue function, have anti-inflammatory effects, and support the body during recovery. The study emphasizes the effect of...

[danibrag]

It is interesting and amazing how far the importance of nutrition in critically ill patients has come. It is now considered a type of therapy with strict guidelines and rules. Hospitals are realizing that nutrition can and does play a major role in helping our bodies heal and function, just as you described above with the specific roles of nutrients. I think our world will keep moving forward and progressing with the mindset that if we fuel our bodies with the correct nutrients and turn to vitamins and nutrients before medicine, we can stay healthier and help the healing process better. Very interesting topic, I am eager to hear more.

[danibrag]

Often times when people think of food insecure house holds it is automatically related to household income, and it is assumed that food insecure households have no income. This assumption is very wrong, and the statistics behind it come as a surprise to many, including me at first. Between 2006 and 2007, 68% of food insecure households had at least one full-time working adult, and 10% had an adult employed part time. That means that almost 80% of food insecure households had an employed adult. Therefore, food insecurity cannot be blamed on unemployment or lack on money coming into the household. In houses with children, especially more than one, even when an adult is working full time that money only stretches so far. Households with a disabled adult had a significantly higher rate of food insecurity, almost 30%. I think it is important for people to become informed and aware of the facts of food insecurity, instead of assuming and believing everything we hear. Just because a household is food insecure does not mean the adults in that house don't work as hard or are less responsible than people in food secure homes. Food insecure is not a choice someone makes and decides to live with, it is something people suffer from. The more aware people are about food insecurity the more we can do to stop it.

[danibrag]

It's not everyday we all take the time to stop and think about what it would be like to suffer from hunger. To wake up and wonder where our next meal will come from, to go to the fridge and open it just to find it is empty. A majority of American's don't think twice about going to the grocery store and spending whatever it takes to get the food you want and need for the week, but the 52,000,000 Americans that suffer from hunger are thinking about it every second of every day. 1 in 6 Americans is hungry and 1 in 4 children in America live in food insecure homes. If you are not familiar with food insecurity, it refers to a home where it is never garenteed that there will be enough food for the next meal, or that everyone in that household won't be going to bed hungry. Food insecurity is a big problem in the world and especially the United States. Friday, September 12, The Hunger U orginization was on campus at Montana State University and I had a chance to go experience what they are all about. They are an orginization that works to lower the number of hungry and food insecure people in America. They had a trailer set up with Ipad's available for students and faculty walking by to take the Hunger U challenge. It consisted of a 5 question hunger quiz, and it return they donate a meal to a hungry American. I found this very powerful, that if each student took the 5 minutes out of their day to take a short quiz, they were helping to feed an American that suffers from hunger. Hunger U really made me step back and think about how much I, and im sure a lot of people, take food for granted. We should be thankful every day that we dont count ourselves in the number of hungry americans or food insecure households. So I would like to encourage all of you to take the 5 mintues, and visit the Hunger U website so another hungry American can have a meal today!