BPB Hunger Infographic
When you think about hunger, what picture comes to mind? Is it a picture of a young mother holding a small child, looking rail thin, from a developing country? Or is it someone who could live less than a mile from your home?
With all of the abundances in our country, it can be hard to imagine that hunger is still a problem in America. But it is a big problem – especially in our city.
Did you know all of the below statements are myths?
1) Hunger is only in developing countries.
46.7 million of Americans are food insecure and 15.5 million are children. Even more disturbing, Greensboro/High Point is ranked #1 in the nation for food insecurity.
2) Hunger is only a health issue.
Hunger is a health, economic and educational issue. Hunger has negative effects on a child’s health, cognition, academics, emotional and social well-being leading to job readiness problems in adulthood.
3) America has an obesity problem, not a hunger problem.
The news loves to focus on obesity in America, which, is indeed a big challenge that our country faces. What you may not realize is that hunger problems can directly lead to obesity problems. People without enough money to buy an appropriate amount of food tend to eat foods they believe will fill them up the fastest, and are the cheapest to acquire. This does not normally equate to healthy options.
4) People who don’t work don’t have enough food.
This is also a myth that may surprise you. According to the 2013 US Department of Agriculture, approximately 75% of food insecure houses have a worker in the home.
5) I can’t do anything to solve the hunger issue.
Not true! You can be the first line of defense! Donate food, funds, or time to local charities. Lobby your congressional representatives for better legislation.
Written on 3/23/16 by Blogger Courtney Murphy
