Indicator: Food Insecurity (Youth)

 

Definition: Percent of youth in grades 8, 10, and 12 who had to skip or cut the size of a meal in the last year because there wasn’t enough money for food.

Why is this important: Food insecurity is associated with poorer self-reported health status and lower intake of fruits and vegetables. Poor eating habits in childhood may continue into adulthood contributing to declines in health.

 

Where are we: In 2010 in Spokane County, 18% of adolescents experienced food insecurity. From 2006 to 2010, there was a significant decrease in the proportion of adolescents reporting food insecurity. The proportion of food insecure youth in Spokane County was similar to that of Washington State in 2010.

 

Among youth in Spokane County in 2010:

 There was no difference in food insecurity between males and females.

 

 

ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD

Food is a basic need for people, yet many people do not have enough food or the right kinds of food to lead an active, healthy life. While household income is a major factor in being able to purchase enough food, other factors include being able to get to a market with good selection of affordable healthier food. Issues such as a disability or transportation impact shopping. [1] Spokane County has been working to implement several projects that will help address food insecurity and affordable access to healthy foods, such as creating community partnerships to increase access to fresh fruit and vegetables through free and healthy community meals and produce distribution, having farmers’ markets accept food assistance debit cards and Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) nutrition program vouchers, amending city and county comprehensive plans as a first step to improving resident access to growing their own food, having schools participate in farm-to-school and school garden programs, and increasing the number of community gardens especially in lower income neighborhoods. SRHD conducted a community assessment related to food access and its impact on health. More information on this topic is available from the Health Promotion division of SRHD at www.srhd.org/services/activity.asp or by calling 509.324.1530.

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