Millions of children across the United States live in areas defined as food deserts—places where it’s challenging to access affordable, fresh, and healthy food. As a result, they suffer consequences that affect them physically, emotionally, and even socially. The following guide explains what happens when a child lives in a food-scarce environment without a nutrient-rich diet of fruit and vegetables. 

Physical Ailments

Children in food-insecure households are prone to iron deficiencies and other signs of malnourishment. Vitamin A, for example, is needed for eye health—according to the World Health Organization (WHO), vitamin A deficiency is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness in children. Vitamin A is found in broccoli, spinach, kale, carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, peaches, and other fresh fruits and vegetables, but these foods are often expensive to purchase. 

Despite having too little to eat, children in food-insecure households aren’t usually underweight. Because parents struggle to afford their children’s food, they often resort to nutrient-poor, high-calorie meals that are pre-packaged and full of preservatives. As a consequence, kids experiencing hunger are more likely to have high cholesterol and a sugary diet compared to their peers. These habits also lay the groundwork for unhealthy eating habits throughout life

Behavior & Emotional Wellness

When a person is hungry, they’re more likely to lash out with aggressive behavior. Children can become disruptive in the classroom and will struggle to pay attention. They might also feel isolated, get disciplined, and experience fatigue, short-term memory problems, and impaired cognitive function. Over time, food scarcity produces feelings of depression and anxiety; it can also lead to a diagnosis of attention deficit disorder (ADD). 

Academic Performance & Career Opportunities

According to Feed America, children facing hunger are more likely than other students to repeat a grade in elementary school and experience a learning impairment. When children don’t succeed at school, this limits their opportunities to find a career and support themselves financially.
 

Food scarcity affects children in ways we might not even fully appreciate for decades down the line. You can help children with limited resources by supporting Growing Food Growing People (GFGP), a local nonprofit that donates fresh, organic produce to families in St. Louis, MO. For information on how to get involved in agro-innovation and revitalize the community, or if you’d like to request a donation of fresh fruit and vegetables, call (314) 518-2048 today. If you’re a grocer, school, or other organization, you can purchase organic produce through GFGP to contribute to the cause and help sustain the local economy. Visit their website to learn more.