Food security is defined as the access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life. Food insecurity is a growing public health problem in the United States. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), as of 2009, food insecurity affects about 17.4 million United States households (14.7% of all households) (Nord, Coleman-Jensen, Andrews, & Carlson, 2010), the highest level since the USDA began tracking food security levels in 1995. Among households with children, 8.4 million, or 21.3%, were food insecure at some time during 2009. Children raised in food-insecure households are at increased risk for a wide array of negative health outcomes including compromised immune functioning, increased risk for infections, and somatic complaints. Children raised in food-insecure households are also at increased risk for academic and socio-emotional difficulties (Cook & Frank, 2008). Household Food Insercurity Serious Concerns for Child Development
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