Hunger and Health

Simply put, poor nutrition leads to poor health. Families who can't afford adequate food run the risk of serious health problems like malnutrition and obesity, and children are the most at risk.

Recent Status Reports on Hunger in Massachusetts have revealed that childhood hunger is linked to poor health and medical problems such as asthma, high lead levels, and failure to thrive. 

The Risk of Obesity

The most nutritious foods, like fruits and vegetables, are often more expensive than high-calorie foods that don't have much nutritional value, like chips and pasta. When families try to stretch their food budgets, they often have to choose between eating these less expensive foods and eating at all.

What's more, many families in poverty have to skip meals, and this habit has been linked to obesity in all people, regardless of income.

Comparing two shopping lists shows just how tough it is to choose healthy foods when you are on a limited budget.

For more information on hunger and obesity, download our full report, The Link Between Hunger and Obesity ( 116kb).

An Innovative Solution: Screening for Hunger

The results of the Pediatric Hunger Prevention Project suggest that hunger screening is a practical and reliable way to predict health problems and assist hungry families. Patients who were identified as hungry were given immediate help including gift cards to local supermarkets, referrals to emergency food programs, and assistance in applying for federal nutrition programs.

In the study, 92% of doctors and nurses were highly satisfied and felt hunger screening should become routine practice, and 100% of parents who received the intervention were satisfied. 

Chart, left. These shopping lists show the tough choices some families in Massachusetts are forced to make. When you are only able to afford foods off the low-cost list, you're likely to come home with foods high in calories, sugar, and fat. Low-income families are at risk for both hunger and obesity.