Hunger in the Us

Hunger, Food Insecurity and Nutritional Deficiencies

Hunger and food insecurity are two related concepts with many of the same causes, affecting many of the same populations. Hunger and food insecurity exist on a continuum, with hunger being the end result.

Food insecurity describes a situation where there is uncertainty in a household’s food supply. This is often due to low income and has an effect on purchasing decisions. Although there might not be any reduction in the amount of food consumed, the stress of not knowing that their food supply is secure can influence decisions. “Households typically adopt a series of coping strategies in response to food insecurity.” (Hall, 2004). Food quality may be reduced, as may be food variety in response to food insecurity. Food insecurity is the first step toward actual food deprivation.

Hunger refers to a state where food intake is actually reduced. The individual doesn’t receive the required amount of calories required for normal functioning. Hunger occurs after food insecurity has already afflicted a household.

The difference between hunger and food insecurity is related to where they fall on a continuum of food scarcity in a household. If food intake has not actually been reduced, but the possibility exists that it may be, then the situation is food insecurity. When the instability of food supply has reached the point that food intake is reduced, hunger results.

In the U.S., households are categorized into four groups based upon the reliability of their food source. Ideally, a family is considered ‘food secure’: intake is not reduced and food supply is not a concern. Food insecure (without hunger) reflects concerns “about adequacy of the household food supply” (Hall, 2004) with no reduction in intake reported. Food insecure (with hunger) is further broken down into two categories. If the reduction in intake applies only to adults in the household, the insecurity is moderate. Food insecurity with...