Change Indicator

Food Insecurity - Percent of children in Pennsylvania

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Why This Indicator Matters

Food insecurity, as defined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is a s household-level condition where access to adequate food is limited or uncertain due to economic and social constraints.[1] The USDA distinguishes food insecurity from hunger, describing hunger as an individual-level condition resulting from extended lack of food, which leads to discomfort, illness, or pain. Food insecurity poses a significant challenge to children specifically, impacting their health and well-being by increasing their risk for developmental delays, behavioral issues, and academic difficulties.[2] In recent years, the prevalence of food insecurity among households with children has been a persistent concern in the United States. After a decade of declining, the rate of food-insecure households with children surged in 2020 due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued to climb, driven by economic disruptions, rising living costs, and prolonged strain on household resources.[3] Addressing food insecurity is crucial, as it not only affects immediate health outcomes but also has long-term implications for children's educational attainment and economic prospects. Efforts to combat this issue include expanding access to nutrition assistance programs, supporting community food banks, and implementing policies aimed at reducing poverty and improving economic stability for vulnerable families.[4]


[1] Economic Research Service. (2024). Definitions of Food Insecurity. U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-u-s/definitions-of-food-security/

[2] Feeding America. (2024). Hunger and Food Insecurity. https://www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/food-insecurity

[3] Hales, L.J. & Coleman-Jensen, A. (2022). Food Insecurity for Households With Children Rose in 2020, Disrupting Decade-long Decline. Economic Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://www.ers.usda.gov/amber-waves/2022/february/food-insecurity-for-households-with-children-rose-in-2020-disrupting-decade-long-decline/

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Definition and Source

PROVIDER

Definition

The percent of children under 18 who live in households that lack access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members and experience limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods.

Notes

Food insecurity may reflect a household’s need to make trade-offs between important basic needs, such as housing or medical bills, and purchasing nutritionally adequate foods. Food-insecure households are not necessarily food insecure all the time.

Last Updated

July 2025