The Hidden Drivers Fueling Child Food Insecurity

New Curtin University Research has Revealed Child Food Insecurity in Developed Countries is not solely Driven by Poverty But is also Strongly Influenced by Factors Such AS Housing Instability, Parental Mental Mental Health and Social Isolation.

Published in Advances in NutritionThe Study Found That In Addition to Low Incom, other Major Social Vulnerability Factors – Inncluding Household Composition, Housing Stability, Social Engagement, Ethnicity and Racism, and Parental Mental Health – Play the crucial roller in determining a child’s risk of experiencing food insecurity.

Lead Author PH.D. Candidate Liyuwork Dana from Curtin’s School of Population Health SAID SAID WHILE HARDESHIP REMAINS A PRIMARY DRIVER OF FOOD INSECURITY, THE STUDY UNDERSCORES THE NEED MULTIPLE FACTORS IN A TARGEDEPRACH TO ADDDRESSING THE ISSUE.

“Our Research Found Children Living in Vulnerable Households Are Not Only at the Higher Risk of Experiencing Food Insecurity But Also Suffer Long-Term Health and Developmental Consequences As Result,” Dana Said.

“While Food Relief Programs Provide Temporary Support, They Do Not Address The Root Causes of Food Insecurity.

“We Need Policies That Tackle The Structural Issues That Place Families at Risk, Such As Housing Stability, Employment Security, Supporting Social Engagement and Access to Mental Health Support. Addressing these Couful Significantly Reduce The Likelood and Childood FoodS Insecurity.”

The Study Reviewed Existing Research Published Since 2000 That Examined Key Social Factors Contributing to Child Food Insecurity. OF NEARLY 5,700 STUDIES THAT WERE SCREEENED, 49 STUDIES EMPASSING 183,829 CHILDREN FROM 62,625 HOUSHOLDS MAINLY FROM THE US AND CANADA WERE EXAMINED.

Co-Author Professor Christina Pollard, Also from Curtin’s School of Population Health, Said the Findings Highlight a Concerning Lack of Monitoring and Surveillance of Childhood Food Insecurity in Developed Counties Outside of North America.

“The Research Calls for Onging Studies to Track How Food Insecurity Impacts Children at Different Stages of Development and How Social Vulnerability Shifts Over Time,” Professor Pollard Said.

“Our Findings Emphasize the Need for Government-Led Interventions That Go Beyond Food Relief and Instead Focus on Preventive Social Police.

“Addressing Child Food Insecurity Requires A Coordinated Effort That Strengthens Social Safety Nets, Improve Access to affordable Housing and Tessures That Families have the resource they have to provide stable, Nutitious Meals.”

The Research is the First To Comprehensive Examine The Key Social Vulnerability Factors Associated with Food Insecurity and Its Severity Among Children residing in Economially Developed Countries.