What Are Some Results of Food Poverty?
According to USDA, food poverty or food insecurity is the inability to consistently obtain enough food for each member of a household to lead an active, healthy life. This can be a short-term or long-term situation for a family.[1]
The United Nations estimates that between 720 and 811 million people in the world faced hunger in 2020. Of those people, 282 million live in Africa, 418 million live in Asia, and 60 million live in Latin America and the Caribbean.[2]
When people don’t have enough to eat, what are the consequences? How does food poverty impact a person’s life?
Health complications – The unavailability of food or clean water can cause significant health problems for communities. Women and children often have to travel long distances to find clean water, which is frequently contaminated and can lead to waterborne illnesses.[3] In addition, the lack of food can lead to malnutrition and negatively impact a person’s overall health.[4]
Childhood difficulties – Children often have developmental problems when food poverty is part of their lives. According to the UN, “Globally, 149.2 million (22.0 percent) children under the age of five years suffered from stunting (SDG Indicator 2.1.1) in 2020.”[5] This is a result of poor nutrition. Lack of proper nutrition, particularly vitamins and minerals, can cause delayed development, learning difficulties, stunted growth, weakened immunity, and increased disease risk.[6]
Income – When people don’t eat, they often don’t have the energy to work and raise their income level, which results in less money to provide food for their families. It is a vicious cycle and one that perpetuates poverty.
GFA World helps fight food poverty in many ways. One key initiative is the child sponsorship program, where children receive regular nutritious food. Children and families also receive training in nutrition and the importance of proper nourishment in the development of children. GFA may also distribute food in times of special need. GFA missionaries are there to help alleviate food poverty in Africa and Asia. Will you join us by supporting these initiatives to provide help to the people who need it most?
Learn more about the war on poverty and the work GFA World is doing to help
[1] “Definitions of Food Security.” USDA: Economic Research Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/definitions-of-food-security/. Accessed November 28, 2022.
[2] “Global Issues Food.” United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/food. Accessed November 28, 2022.
[3] “A Women’s Crisis.” Water.org. https://water.org/our-impact/water-crisis/womens-crisis/. Accessed November 28, 2022.
[4] “Hunger and Food Insecurity.” Feeding America. https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/food-insecurity. Accessed November 28, 2022.
[5] “Global Issues Food.” United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/food. Accessed November 28, 2022.
[6] “Nutrition.” World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/health-topics/nutrition. Accessed November 28, 2022.