What is food insecurity?
In New Mexico, 324,000 people struggle with hunger - and of them 118,030 are children. That means 1 in 6 individuals (15.5%) and 1 in 4 children (24%) live in homes without consistent access to adequate food for everyone to live healthy, active lives. [Health Indicator Reports, NM-IBIS]
Hunger and child development
For children, food insecurity is particularly devastating. Not having enough healthy food can have serious implications for a child’s physical and mental health, academic achievement and future economic prosperity. Research shows an association between food insecurity and delayed development in young children; risk of chronic illnesses like asthma and anemia; and behavioral problems like hyperactivity, anxiety and aggression in school-age children.
