THE HUNGER EFFECT The faces of hunger are not what many would expect. Food insecurity is generally thought of as a person or group of people not having access to food typically because of lack income, although this can be caused by reasons and has a wide spectrum of casualties. Much of the supportive resources for the struggling American population, such as WIC, (Women, Infants and Children), SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and numerous community food banks are under serious strain due to the recovering economy, unemployment rates and a fragmented healthcare system. The consequences of hunger in America have a direct impact on not just the developing young minds but also their future relationship with food and our …show more content…
When food is scarce the vitamins, minerals and nutrients that we get from our food sources are consumed on an inconsistence basis, the body is going to have adverse effects. We are designed and held together by numerous systems that have an essential role when it comes to regulating, protecting, maintaining and producing what we need on a day-to-day basis. If one of these invaluable systems were to slow down, is damaged or gives out, the other systems will not be able to operate as efficiently or possibly even continue. The food we consume helps not just carry our bodies and consumed nutrients, but more importantly the functions of our internal organs and allows for healthy growth and physical development. Children under the age of three are in high need of critical macronutrients and micronutrients along with iron for developing minds and pivotal for reaching their fundamental growth milestones; “Iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia (IDA), are the most prevalent nutritional deficiencies in the U.S. and worldwide. Iron deficiency in early life has been linked to concurrent and persistent deficits in cognition, attention, and behavior even after treatment” (Cook & Jeng, 2009, p. 16). Without a steady source of these vital nutrients, infants and young children are more