Every Child Needs Sound Nutrition

Today’s children and their families are experiencing the triple threat of obesity, food insecurity and malnutrition, says the president of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Nearly 1 in 3 school-age children and adolescents is overweight or obese, and only half of all children ages 2 to 17 eat diets that meet federal diet quality standards. The highest rates of obesity are found in people with the lowest incomes, and more than 14 million American children live in poverty.

The challenge for low-income families today may not be obtaining enough food, but rather having dependable access to high-quality food. Hungry children who live in food insecure households—which accounts for 1 in 5 U.S. children—have difficulty learning and are more likely to experience educational, health and behavioral problems as a result. Children with obesity are at increased risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, asthma, joint problems, and social and psychological problems, among other ailments. Read more...