What is Household Food Insecurity?
“Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.” (Food and Agriculture Organization, 1996) (1).
A lack of food security is food insecurity. One key aspect of food insecurity is whether individuals and their households have enough money to access healthy foods in adequate amounts. In this context, food insecurity is defined as a “lack of access to affordable, adequate food through socially acceptable means.”
How is Household Food Insecurity Measured?
In the past, food bank data have been one of the only consistent measures of hunger. While these data were helpful, they were incomplete as many people did not or could not access a food bank. Measures of household food security on national health surveys provide a much better indication of the scope of this problem in Canada. In 2004, food insecurity was measured in the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), Cycle 2.2 (2).
Using data from this survey, households were classified as food secure or moderately or severely food insecure based upon the extent to which their food choices and eating patterns were affected by their financial situation (2). The last category, severely food insecure, relates to actual food deprivation or what is commonly referred to as hunger. The lack of financial ability for a household to access adequate, nutritious food is referred to as household food insecurity.
Do Albertans Experience Food Insecurity and Hunger?
The CCHS survey revealed important national and provincial data about food insecurity. According to CCHS 2.2, 1.1 million or 9.2% of Canadian households experienced moderate or severe food insecurity in 2004. In Alberta, this rate of household food insecurity is 10.7%. One out of every ten households in Alberta is food insecure. Individuals with severe food insecurity oftenexperience a lack of food which leads to hunger (2).
Certain populations experience higher rates of food insecurity, notably low income Canadians. Half of Canadians in the lowest income group are food insecure. Lone parent families headed by women; aboriginal people living off-reserve; those who do not own their home; and those receiving social assistance as their key income source report higher rates of food insecurity (2).
In Alberta, the rates are similar to the national average for these sub groups. One notable exception is the rate of household food insecurity amongst social assistance recipients. Nationally 6 of every 10 households supported by social assistance report food insecurity. In Alberta the rate is 8 of every 10 households.
Unfortunately, the CCHS survey did not capture the entire picture of those who are food insecure. Some of the most vulnerable groups for food insecurity were not included in the survey. Examples include the homeless and Aboriginal people living on-reserve.
Why is Food Insecurity and Hunger a Concern?
Everyone has a right to healthy food. Investing resources in this issue now will save money in the long term. Risks of failing to invest in this issue are well documented. Some of these risks are discussed below.
Food security is recognized as an important public health issue in Canada. Individuals in food insecure households have been shown to have poorer nutrient intakes than individuals living in food secure households (2). An adequate household income is necessary to purchase nutritious foods and consume the nutrients necessary for good health across the lifespan.
-
The effects of food insecurity can have a lifelong impact on a child’s development beginning in the prenatal period. Poor nutrient intakes among pregnant women contribute to low infant birth weights and increase the risk for poor pregnancy outcomes (3,4).
-
Children from low-income households with food insecurity can be at greater developmental risk than children from low-income households that are food secure (5). Young children with poor intakes of nutrients such as iron can experience impaired cognitive, social and emotional development (6). In children, iron deficiency causes developmental delays and behavioral problems. Iron deficiency has been found to be more common among food insecure than food secure children (7).
-
Older children, adolescents and adults in food insecure households are more likely to have inadequate nutrient intakes than average income Canadians (8). In adults, poor nutrient intakes contribute to chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Individuals experiencing food insecurity likely have difficulty managing any dietary aspects of their health conditions. Members of food insecure households are also more likely to be affected by mental illness, including depression (9,10).
People in food insecure households are more likely to report poor or fair health; physical limitations; mental health problems; children’s health problems; and multiple chronic conditions(9,10). Data on poverty and health in Edmonton demonstrated lower rates of self-reported good health, higher rates of hospital admissions for chronic health conditions and acute health problems, and lower life expectancy rates among the lower income groups (11).
Food insecurity can also create significant stress in a household (9). In particular, stress can be great for mothers and pregnant women who know the importance of nutritious food for the health of their children, but are unable to provide it. In food insecure households, adults, particularly mothers and older children, will go without food to ensure that the youngest family members are fed (12).
Impacts on Education
Inadequate nutrition can have detrimental effects on children’s learning ability as well as their physical development and mental health. It is widely accepted that healthy children learn better. Recent Canadian research found an association between higher academic performance and the consumption of milk, vegetables and fruit (13). As well, adequately nourished children are known to have better school attendance (14), cognitive performance (15) and improved capacity for active learning while at school (16).
Why should we be concerned about food insecurity?
For individuals and families to achieve healthy eating recommendations for health and the prevention of chronic disease, they must have the capacity to make healthy choices. Those who are food insecure do not have this capacity. Ensuring that lower income households have enough money to buy adequate amounts of nutritious food and pay for the other basic costs of living (shelter, transportation, childcare) is fundamental. A lack of knowledge about healthy eating or poor budgeting skills are not the key issues that limit lower income households in providing nutritious food for their families. Food insecurity results from inadequate household income.
What Can be Done to Help?
Make sure that you and those that you connect with are informed about food insecurity
Efforts to address household food insecurity are weakened by incorrect information or stereotypes around individuals and families at most risk of food insecurity. There is plenty of evidence to support that low income is a major predictor of food insecurity.
Support actions in Alberta and Canada that address poverty and food insecurity
Visit the websites of the coalitions and networks working on the issues of poverty and food insecurity and decide how you can help out. Share this information and your actions with those with whom you work or socialize.
Make one phone call or write one letter
Every letter or phone call has the potential to make a difference. Everyone has a role to play – the Prime Minister, the Premier, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), municipal councilors, family, friends, and other community members. Write a letter or visit your local MLA and/or the Minister responsible for the policies and programs that affect poverty. Ask for a fair income support rate and a living wage that are adequate and indexed every year.
Bring food insecurity to discussions about affordable housing
Housing is on the agenda of many municipalities and local governments. Many actions to alleviate the housing crisis have been suggested. Conversations and action plans often focus solely on increasing affordable housing options. This report and others have clearly demonstrated the link between lack of affordable housing and food insecurity; food insecurity issues must be considered at any table where housing is discussed.
Bring healthy food and good nutrition into local food security strategies.
Many local actions exist to provide charitable food to households living in poverty. It is important that households who access the charitable sector for food receive foods that promote health. Food, meals and snacks provided should be nutritionally rich and provide a model of healthy food and dietary practices.
The provision of emergency food supplies to the most needy fills an important short term need but long term solutions are required. Policy changes to ensure households have the financial resources to purchase healthy foods at all times, in short to achieve food security, is critical.
*Adapted from The Cost of Eating in Alberta. 2008. Alberta Community/Public Health Nutritionists Food Security Subcommittee.