NEW REPORT FOCUSES ON ECONOMIC TOLL OF CHILD HUNGER
FINDINGS HIGHLIGHT LONG TERM PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE CONSEQUENCES
CHICAGO – July 1, 2009 –The direct and indirect effect of child hunger in the U.S. is a contributing factor to the nation’s economic woes and puts America at a competitive disadvantage, according to a new report issued today by Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization.
Child Food Insecurity: The Economic Impact On Our Nation, a report on research on the impact of food insecurity and hunger on child health, growth and development, details the economic effect of child hunger in the United States. It articulates the lifelong consequences child food insecurity has on individuals and families. (Food insecurity is defined as the lack of access at times to enough food for an active, healthy life; or limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.)
The report states that the U.S. economy is losing its competitive edge to countries doing a better job of addressing nutrition and food insecurity in preparing children to learn and achieve their full potential. The report was funded with a grant from the ConAgra Foods Foundation.
The entire report is available at http://www.feedingamerica.org/recovery