Food security is when people, at all times, have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.[1] Having access to healthy foods is important for children's growth and development. When households have inadequate or insecure access to food due to financial constraints they are experiencing food insecurity.[2] Children who experience severe food insecurity are found to be at greater risk for conditions such as asthma, depression, and suicide ideation in adolescence and adulthood.[3],[4]
Data related to food security includes two indicators:
[1] United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. (1996). Rome declaration on world food security, world food summit plan of action, paragraph 1, Rome. Accessed March 11, 2017. Available at: http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/w3613e/w3613e00.htm.
[2] Tarasuk, V., Mitchell, A., & Dachner, N. (2016). Household food insecurity in Canada, 2014. Toronto: Research to identify policy options to reduce food insecurity (PROOF). Accessed March 6, 2017. Available at: http://proof.utoronto.ca/.
[3] Kirkpatrick, S.I., McIntyre, L., & Postestio, M.L. (2010). Child hunger and long-term adverse consequences for health. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 164(8), 754-762.
[4] McIntyre, L., Williams, J.V., Lavorato, D.H., & Patten, S. (2013). Depression and suicide ideation in late adolescence and early adulthood are an outcome of child hunger. Journal of Affective Disorders, 150(1), 123-129.