Food insecurity: Taking a toll on health and well-being.

The term “food insecurity” refers to the insecure access to food due to financial constraints.  It is a serious public health issue that negatively impacts physical, mental, and social health, costing our healthcare system considerably. 

In 2005, Statistics Canada started monitoring household food insecurity through the Canadian Community Health Survey.  Since this survey started, food insecurity rates have only become worse each year.

This is no small issue.  The toll that food insecurity takes on health and well-being is astronomical.

The food we eat gives our bodies the “information” and materials they need to function properly.  If we don’t get the right information, our metabolic processes suffer, and our health declines.

While food insecurity is associated with a lack of nutrition, its impact goes far beyond that.

Children that experience food insecurity are often reported to develop mental health problems, such as hyperactivity and inattention.  Childhood hunger can also result in the risk of developing asthma, depression, and suicidal ideation in adolescence and early adulthood.

Food insecure adults are vulnerable to diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, and back problems.  They are more likely to be diagnosed with multiple chronic conditions. It also makes for difficult in managing existing health problems – as brain fog sets in, medications and appointments can be forgotten, etc. – leading to worsening conditions.

Perhaps the most impactful is the particularly strong relationship between food insecurity and poor mental health.  Think about your mental and physical state when you notice you’ve become “hangry”… then imagine living in that day to day, with the experience of chronic hunger. 

Your brain needs a lot of nutrients to function and keep you well.  You may have noticed that some foods can lift your mood, energy levels, and concentration, while other foods can do the opposite.  Food can also affect your sleeping patterns.

The risk of experiencing depression, anxiety disorder, mood disorders, or suicidal thoughts increases substantially with the severity of food insecurity.

Thankfully, right now in Belleville, a daily lunch (Bridge Street), a daily supper (Salvation Army), and a weekday breakfast (Gleaners) are available to all who may need it.  The Hastings and Prince Edward Learning Foundation provides a breakfast program to HPE school-aged children.  And CDC Quinte offers monthly subsidized fruit and vegetables through the Good Food Box program.

To learn more about how you can support the organizations that keep our citizens alive and well, go to www.WeAllDeserveToEat.ca.

Amanda Solmes is the Community Research and Special Initiatives Coordinator for CDC Quinte.