Deadly Besties: Food Insecurity & Poor Body Image
Because our bodies require sustenance to survive, every person develops a relationship with food. A person’s relationship with food is dependent on a variety of factors, from their financial background to the dynamics within their family, and like all relationships, it is possible to have a healthy or unhealthy relationship with food.
For kids who grow up food insecure, it is more likely that their relationship with food will be unhealthy. Food insecurity is defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as insufficient and inconsistent access to nutritious food. The effects of food insecurity are by no means limited, and body image is just one aspect of a child’s life that can be heavily impacted by their access to food.
Who does food insecurity affect?
Nearly 2 billion people, or roughly 26% of the global population, are food insecure. Countries like Yemen and South Sudan are facing severe levels of food insecurity and malnutrition, with 16 million people in Yemen and 7 million people in South Sudan having inadequate access to food. It is expected that Yemen and South Sudan, as well Nigeria, Central Sahel, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo will be home to 10.4 million malnourished children in 2021 as a result of food insecurity crises in these countries.
The United States is the richest country in the world, but there were 35 million people experiencing food insecurity in America as of 2019. 11 million were children. In 2021, it is projected that 42 million Americans will experience food insecurity, with 13 million being children. In America, BIPOC communities are more likely to face food insecurity as a result of systemic racism, the continued oppression of BIPOC through governmental laws and institutions meant to maintain racial and social inequalities. Nearly 24 percent of Native American people are food insecure, as are about 19 percent of Black people and almost 16 percent of Latinx people. In comparison, only 8 percent of White Americans are food insecure.
Food insecurity and body image
Regardless of a child’s body type, food insecurity and body image issues are correlated. Children of all body types are at risk of developing unsafe eating practices and eating disorders, but growing up food insecure only serves to heighten these odds.
In food secure homes, 46 percent of young girls aged nine to eleven participate in dieting either occasionally or regularly. Also in food secure homes, at least 35 percent of teenage girls practice dieting and/or fasting trends, consume diet pills and/or laxatives, and/or force themselves to vomit.
In a study conducted by Laura Hooper and her associates, it was discovered that the likelihood of partaking in disordered eating habits in order to control weight increases when a child comes from a food insecure household.
Nearly 36 percent of food insecure kids and teens consume small portions, as opposed to 30 percent of food secure adolescents who also portion control.
About 33 percent of food insecure adolescents skip meals, whereas 26 percent of food secure adolescents skip meals.
Laxative and other diuretic use increases as well, from less than 1 percent of food secure adolescents reporting laxative use, to about 2 percent of food insecure adolescents using laxatives.
Other common disordered eating habits include binge eating, sneaking/hiding food and eating it secretly, as well as overeating at nighttime. These practices are all more likely among adolescents who are food insecure. In fact, in a study conducted by June Tester and colleagues, with four food insecure groups and three food secure groups, it was determined that instances of children engaging in nighttime eating and/or hiding food were only happening in food insecure households
Growing up food insecure: the transition to adulthood
Experiencing food insecurity at any age is anxiety-inducing. Children who are food insecure are struggling to handle the combination of societal pressures and stress at home, all of which has a negative impact on their health and development.
The effects of growing up food insecure do not go away simply because someone has gotten older. Food insecurity can cause long term health issues, especially in children, such as anemia and asthma. Food insecurity can cause developmental delays, which can create difficulties in school and impact a child’s overall educational experience. Behavioral issues, mental health struggles, and difficulties with body image are not uncommon for food insecure kids
Every hurdle that stems from growing up food insecure can be carried into adulthood. Physical and mental health issues can transition with us into adulthood. An inability to properly process and communicate our feelings can transition with us into adulthood. And, if left untreated, disordered eating habits and eating disorders can follow us from childhood to adulthood as well.
Food insecurity is traumatic, and like any other trauma, the emotional, physical, and mental toll must be unpacked and processed in order to move forward. This may seem daunting as a kid or teen, but people are resilient, and life will not always feel this heavy.
Resources
If you or anyone you know is food insecure, please seek assistance.
Community Servings: This service delivers meals to chronically ill people and their families. They create nutrient-dense foods that are “scratch-made.”
SNAP: Commonly referred to as food stamps, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program serves as grocery/food money for families and individuals who meet the program’s requirements.
TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a program in which states and territories are given grants to be used for families in need of financial assistance. There are a variety of state-provided programs through TANF.
USDA National Hunger Hotline: Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY, or 1-877-8-HAMBRE for Spanish, to receive information about government assistance, local emergency food providers, and other services.
USDA Meals for Kids: Use the map to locate a school or other institution near you that provides meals for children. This program typically runs during the summer and other breaks, but Covid-19 has resulted in the closure of many schools so the program is currently operating.
WIC: The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children program is for pregnant and recently pregnant women, as well as their babies and small children (up to age 5). The program provides food as well as educational and medical opportunities.