Menu
Food and nutrition security is important for all. This blog will explain what food and nutrition insecurity is, who experiences it, and what is being done about it. Enjoy!
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), there is an association between food insecurity and poor nutrition, with individuals who report being most food insecure being at a higher risk of developing diet-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Food security focuses on ensuring that everyone has enough to eat, while nutrition security ensures that everyone receives and consumes calories that contribute to their overall health. Moreover, estimates suggest that as many as a third of cancer cases could be prevented with diet and nutrition alone. USDA’s nutrition assistance programs can play an important role in decreasing that risk. This report summarizes how the USDA is leveraging existing authorities, resources, and touchpoints to support nutrition security with a primary focus on activities from the USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Mission Area.
What is food and nutrition insecurity?
Nutrition insecurity is defined as an inability to access or afford food needed to achieve health and well-being.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), there is an association between food insecurity and poor nutrition, with individuals who report being most food insecure being at a higher risk of developing diet-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension. Food security focuses on ensuring that everyone has enough to eat, while nutrition security ensures that everyone receives and consumes calories that contribute to their overall health. Moreover, estimates suggest that as many as a third of cancer cases could be prevented with diet and nutrition alone. USDA’s nutrition assistance programs can play an important role in decreasing that risk. This report summarizes how the USDA is leveraging existing authorities, resources, and touchpoints to support nutrition security with a primary focus on activities from the USDA Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services Mission Area.
Who Experiences Nutrition Insecurity?
According to USDA Actions on Nutrition Security, poor nutrition is a leading cause of illness in the United States and is responsible for more than 600,000 deaths per year, or more than 40,000 each month. More than 4 in 10 American adults are obese. One in two has diabetes or prediabetes. The problem is getting worse. Obesity and type 2 diabetes are rising among children, with current estimates indicating most American children will experience obesity by the time they are 35 years old. Poor nutrition is widespread, with the overall diet quality score for Americans scoring a 59 out of 100, indicating that the average American diet does not align with Federal dietary recommendations.
However, the resulting health burden is not equally shared. Certain populations are at greater risk for diet-related disease, such as Black and Indigenous children are more likely to have obesity than their White peers. Those who face food insecurity are also at greater risk. Beyond the effect on health, poor nutrition and diet-related diseases have far-reaching impacts including decreased academic achievement and increased financial stress. Societal impacts include lower productivity, weakened military readiness, widening health disparities, and skyrocketing health care costs. For example, approximately 85 percent of current health care spending is related to management of diet-related chronic disease.
By Valerie Pettengill, Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County
Article published June 15, 2023.
The Herkimer Agricultural Council is coordinated by the staff of Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer. If you are interested in the work of the council or have a question about agriculture, local foods or starting an agricultural business, contact us today!
This website is a project of the Herkimer Agricultural Council which is dedicated to promoting the farm economy in Herkimer County,
managed by Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County. Additional support from the Community Foundation of
Herkimer and Oneida Counties and the Herkimer County Industrial Development Agency made this website possible.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County
Cultivate Herkimer is a resource for all of Herkimer County New York, including: Cold Brook, Dolgeville, Fairfield, Frankfort, Herkimer, Ilion, Litchfield, Little Falls, Middleville, Mohawk, Newport, Old Forge, Poland, Salisbury, and West Winfield.
Inclusion on this website does not imply a recommendation or endorsement. Omissions are not intended.
Reprinting: Unless otherwise noted, permission is granted to reproduce material appearing on this website upon notification of the author, providing that full acknowledgement is made of the source and no charge is made without approval.