Introduction
In this paper, I will review the profound implications of food insecurity as a public health issue and how it affects overall wellness. Food scarcity is a widespread public health issue with widespread but often hidden consequences (Kiely et al., 2020). It is not a theoretical problem; it is a harsh reality for many individuals and families that crosses economic boundaries (Fahy, 2021). It is heartbreaking to acknowledge that millions of people go to bed starving every night, living in constant fear of not knowing where their next meal will come from.
Food Insecurity as a Public Health Issue
Food shortage is a lack of consistent access to nutritious, safe food to support a healthy lifestyle. This problem, which has its roots in poverty, unemployment, and a lack of access to wholesome foods, can show up in various ways, from meal skipping to resource restriction (Fahy, 2021). Food insecurity is a continuous dread of unknown nutriment rather than occasional hunger.
Food insecurity negatively impacts wellness because nutrition is the cornerstone of good health. Without access to critical nutrients, people are more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses, vitamin deficiencies, and malnutrition, endangering their general health (Fahy, 2021). Additionally, food insecurity harms mental health, encouraging stress and anxiety called “food anxiety.”
A vicious loop entwining mental and physical health can result from this emotional stress, which can also cause depression and exacerbate pre-existing mental health conditions. Food insecurity costs society money through high healthcare costs associated with nutrition-related health disorders (Fahy, 2021). Those experiencing food insecurity frequently struggle to find stable employment, sustaining a cycle of poverty that strains social support systems and government aid programs.
Conclusion
Food insecurity has far-reaching consequences that affect entire communities. Food shortage can lead to social instability and harm to communal well-being. It stifles economic growth, stifles potential, and perpetuates a difficult-to-break cycle of disadvantage. Food insecurity is not distant to me; it affects our neighborhoods, neighbors, and friends. I have witnessed food insecurity’s effects in my neighborhood (Kiely et al., 2020).
I have seen the worry and anxiety that friends and neighbors feel when they cannot put food on the table. It is a profoundly human issue that goes beyond numbers and news articles. People’s potential, dignity, and right to happy, healthy lives are at stake. Therefore, food shortage has a significant impact on public health and wellness.
References
Fahy, A. (2021). What is food security? Concern Worldwide. Web.
Kiely, M., Manze, M. G., & Palmedo, P. C. (2023). Starting With Food: Nutrition and Health. In Personal health: A population perspective (pp. 41–72). Jones & Bartlett Learning.