LHI: Household Food Insecurity and Hunger

For which food assistance programs is Tosha potentially eligible? Select all that apply. ​ School Breakfast Program Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children​ National School Lunch Program​ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Child and Adult Care Food Program​

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children​ National School Lunch Program​ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Child and Adult Care Food Program​

Food insecurity is defined as a lack of ______ to enough food to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle due to a lack of_______ . Conversely, hunger refers to a ______ of discomfort that may result from ______.​

consistent access; available financial resources; personal, physical sensation; food insecurity

Family #2 has a significant household income. They purchase groceries every week and the pantry is well stocked at all times.

high food security

The data for the leading health indicator "Reduce household food insecurity and hunger (NWS-01)" is _____. Increasing nutrition assistance program benefits and addressing _____ may help reduce food insecurity and hunger. ​

improving; unemployment

Family #1 has a very unstable income. The family always has food but often eats fast food because it is cheaper.

low food security

The primary guardian of family #4 is a consultant who doesn't always have a steady income. Sometimes they must budget carefully but always manage to provide food for their family.

marginal food security

Click to select all the risk factors that Tosha has for food insecurity. ​ Tosha Smith (preferred pronouns she, her) is a 32-year-old who recently lost her job at a local child daycare when it closed permanently. She is a single mother of three small children ages 1, 3, and 7. She has no childcare for the small children since the center closed and her 7-year-old attends the local public school. She has little savings and is very concerned about feeding her family and paying her rent monthly. She has considered opening an infant care business out of her home but is unsure due to increasing COVID-19 infections in her community. ​ Tosha's oldest daughter has many food allergies and is on a specialized diet with a higher cost to purchase. She is still breastfeeding her youngest daughter. Since moving out of her home state last year, Tosha has little family support. ​

recently lost her job; single mother; little savings; little family support

Social determinants of health are ________ and economic _______ ​that affect the _______ of life​ and health ______.

social; conditions; quality; outcomes

Family #3 is a single-parent household with four small children. The guardian is unemployed and struggles to pay rent each month. The guardian manages to find small amounts of food for the children but often goes without themselves.

very low food security

What cues alert Anna that she should be concerned about student nutrition? Select all that apply. ​ Most students receive free or reduced lunch​. The school serves low-income households​. The local community is predominately migrant workers​. Anna works in an elementary school​. Many students only receive meals at school​.

​Most students receive free or reduced lunch​. The school serves low-income households​. The local community is predominately migrant workers​. Many students only receive meals at school​.

What is the meaning of the term food desert? ​

A community with limited access to retailers that carry affordable and nutritious foods. ​

From Anna's research, which goals should she plan for improving student nutrition? Select all that apply. Discuss the School Breakfast Program with administration. ​ Ensure healthy snacks that include fruit are provided during the school day. Teach age-appropriate nutrition classes to students. ​ Increase the amount of dark green, red, and orange vegetables served weekly.​ Prepare information for families on how to receive federally-funded nutrition assistance.​

All are correct

Many students remain in after-school care once the school day ends. Which federally-funded program provides meals for students participating in after-school activities?​

Child and Adult Care Food Program

Emergency Food Assistance Program

Each state receives food based on the unemployment rate and the number of households living below the poverty level.​

Very low food security

Eating patterns are disrupted and food intake is reduced due to lack of household money or other resources for food.

For each nutrition-related objective, click to specify if the objective's data remains at baseline, is improving, is getting worse, or is a research objective. ​ Eliminate very low food insecurity in children (NWS-02)​. Increase the proportion of eligible students participating in the Summer Food Service Program (AH-R03)​. Increase calcium consumption by people aged 2 years and over (NWS-13)​. Increase consumption of dark green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, and beans and peas by people aged 2 years and over (NWS-08)​.

Eliminate very low food insecurity in children (NWS-02)​. - getting worse Increase the proportion of eligible students participating in the Summer Food Service Program (AH-R03)​. - research Increase calcium consumption by people aged 2 years and over (NWS-13)​. - at baseline Increase consumption of dark green vegetables, red and orange vegetables, and beans and peas by people aged 2 years and over (NWS-08)​. - at baseline

Which legislative act should Anna review in her efforts to better understand childhood nutrition programs?​

Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act

High food security

Household experiences no problems consistently accessing enough food. ​

Marginal food security

Household experiences problems at times accessing enough food but the quality, variety, and quantity of food is not significantly reduced. ​

Low food security

Household experiences reduced quality and variety in the diet, but the quantity of food intake and eating patterns are not significantly disrupted.

As Anna continues to research solutions to reduce childhood hunger in her community, she reads the article "There is Such a Thing as a Free Lunch" by Krugman (2021). Krugman (2021) suggests that receiving free or reduced lunch is stigmatizing and, therefore, many families will not take advantage of the program. What does the author suggest as a resolution in this article?​

Implement a universal free lunch program if more than 40% of the community are eligible.

Child and Adult Care Food Program

Must be an adult over the age of 60 enrolled in a participating daycare center​.

National School Lunch Program ​

Must be homeless, migrant, or a foster child​.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children

Must be pregnant, postpartum, and/or breastfeeding.​

Which food assistance program is providing free or reduced lunches for elementary children?​

National School Lunch Program