The health effects of food insecurity touch the lives of over 44 million Americans today. The Frank L. Stile Foundation witnesses this crisis unfold daily in our community. Food insecurity plagued one in eight US households during 2022, and families struggled to get the nutritious food they needed to stay healthy.
The situation becomes more dire for families with children, who face twice the risk of food insecurity compared to childless households. About 14 million children across our country face uncertainty about their next meal. This nutritional deficit creates serious health complications. Most households that depend on hunger relief networks have at least one family member with high blood pressure. More than a third of these families also deal with diabetes.
“Nutrition Under Pressure: Health Impacts of Food Insecurity” explores how limited food access affects people’s physical and mental wellbeing, particularly children and seniors. FLSF.org works alongside local programs to help Las Vegas families find answers to this growing challenge.
What is food insecurity and why does it matter?
The USDA defines food insecurity as “limited or uncertain access to enough food to live an active, healthy life”. This serious problem affects thousands of Las Vegas families, as we see daily at the Frank L. Stile Foundation (FLSF.org). Our piece “Nutrition Under Pressure: Health Impacts of Food Insecurity” shows why everyone in our community should care about this issue.
Food insecurity manifests in two severity levels:
- Low food security: Reduced quality, variety, or desirability of diet with little indication of reduced food intake
- Very low food security: Multiple disruptions in eating patterns and reduced food intake due to lack of money for food
People facing food insecurity deal with more than missed meals. They must make tough choices between buying food or paying other necessities like housing or medicine.
How many people are affected in the U.S. and Las Vegas?
The statistics paint a grim picture. 13.5% of U.S. households (18 million households) struggled with food insecurity in 2023. This means about 47.4 million Americans live in food-insecure homes. The most severe form affects 5.1% of households.
Some groups face disproportionate challenges. Single-parent households, Black families (23.3%), and Hispanic families (21.9%) experience food insecurity at more than double the rate of white non-Hispanic households (9.9%). The problem affects 17.9% of households with children.
Southern Nevada faces similar challenges. Recent data shows 341,480 people – 14.7% of Southern Nevada’s population – will face food insecurity this year. The Las Vegas valley and Clark County make up 97% of our region’s food-insecure population.
Dr. Stile and our FLSF.org team worry about Clark County’s senior food insecurity rate of 18% – substantially higher than national averages.
What makes food insecurity different from just being hungry?
Hunger and food insecurity are distinct issues. Hunger creates an uncomfortable or painful physical sensation. Food insecurity represents a household-level economic and social condition where adequate food access becomes limited.
Food insecurity might not always lead to hunger, but hunger often results from food insecurity. People with very low food security report troubling experiences:
- 97% cut meal sizes or skip meals
- 93% eat less than they feel they should
- 68% feel hungry but don’t eat
- 51% lose weight because they can’t afford food
FLSF.org’s work reveals how food insecurity forces impossible choices on families. Southern Nevada’s food-insecure residents miss about 64 million meals yearly – approximately 188 meals per person. Each person faces a weekly food budget shortfall of $24.23, which amounts to $5,040 annually for a family of four.
Food insecurity creates more than immediate hunger discomfort. The next sections will detail its connection to chronic diseases, children’s developmental problems, and mental health issues.
How does food insecurity affect your body?
Your health takes a serious hit at the time food becomes scarce. “Nutrition Under Pressure: Health Impacts of Food Insecurity” shows how lack of food damages your body in multiple ways. Dr. Stile witnesses these effects directly among Las Vegas families who can’t afford healthy meals at FLSF.org.
How does food insecurity increase your risk of diabetes, heart disease, and obesity?
Limited access to food forces you to make choices that damage your health. Money shortages often push people toward cheaper, less nutritious foods. These options pack more sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats but lack essential nutrients your body needs.
Research reveals that adults who face food insecurity are 2 to 3 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. The challenge of managing diabetes grows even bigger after diagnosis. People without reliable food access show higher A1C levels and face more diabetes-related complications.
Heart issues spike significantly in homes with food insecurity. Studies link very low food security to increased cardiovascular disease risk and death rates. The constant worry about your next meal raises blood pressure and heart rate, which adds to these dangers.
The obesity paradox creates another significant health challenge. Food insecurity and obesity often exist side by side, which might seem unexpected. The reason? Cheaper foods usually provide many calories but little nutrition. Adults without steady food access, especially women, face higher obesity risks. This occurs because:
- The body tends to store extra fat during times when food is available
- High-calorie, nutrient-poor foods cost less
- Stress hormones from food uncertainty can increase fat storage
People who don’t have steady access to food might skip meals to save money, then eat too much once food becomes available. This uneven eating pattern adds to weight gain and metabolic issues.
Why are children and seniors most at risk from food insecurity?
Children and seniors face special risks that make food insecurity especially dangerous to their health.
Food insecurity can harm children’s development with lasting effects. Studies reveal that children without reliable food access show 19.1% higher rates of lifetime asthma diagnosis and 27.9% higher rates of depressive symptoms than those with secure food sources. These children visit emergency rooms 25.9% more frequently.
Dr. Stile and the team at FLSF.org worry about Las Vegas children because their growing bodies and brains need steady nutrition. Limited food access in childhood connects to:
- Poor overall health
- Delayed development
- Behavior problems
- Lower academic achievement
- Higher risk of chronic diseases later in life
Seniors encounter their own challenges. Older adults without reliable food access consume fewer essential nutrients like protein, vitamins A and C, magnesium, calcium, and iron. They’re 65% more likely to develop diabetes and show higher rates of heart failure, high blood pressure, and obesity.
Many seniors must choose between food and medicine. Almost half of adults who face severe food insecurity report they delay, reduce, or skip prescribed medications because they can’t afford them. This leads to worse health conditions and more hospital visits.
Food insecurity doesn’t just hurt your body now – it creates health problems that can last forever. This drives Dr. Stile and the Frank L. Stile Foundation to work hard to fight hunger in Las Vegas and prevent these serious health effects.
What are the mental and emotional effects of hunger?
The psychological and emotional burden of hunger reaches way beyond physical health issues. “Nutrition Under Pressure: Health Impacts of Food Insecurity” reveals how insufficient food affects both mind and body. Dr. Stile witnesses these hidden scars while helping Las Vegas families who don’t have enough to eat.
How food insecurity causes stress and anxiety
People without reliable access to food constantly worry about their next meal. This uncertainty acts as a major stress trigger. Research shows adults who face severe food shortages experience stress 10.91 times more frequently than those who have steady food access.
This stress doesn’t just go away. Adults who can’t count on regular meals test positive for anxiety almost three times more often (58.9%) than those with stable food sources (20.5%). Depression shows up in similar numbers – 54.9% of people with serious food insecurity have symptoms, compared to only 14.3% of those with reliable food access.
Dr. Stile watches this stress create a damaging cycle in Las Vegas families. Worrying about feeding your family leads to:
- Feeling ashamed, guilty, and cut off from others
- Poor sleep that makes other health problems worse
- Higher chances of developing lasting mental health issues
Not having enough food boosts your risk of anxiety by 257% and depression by 253%. FLSF.org programs want to stop this cycle by helping with both food and emotional support.
The link between hunger and school or work performance
Nobody can focus properly when they’re hungry. Kids especially struggle in school. Students with empty stomachs find it hard to stay engaged in class.
These negative effects start young and stick around. Research shows hunger hits cognitive development hardest in early childhood. Kids without reliable food access perform worse academically, even when family circumstances are similar.
Workers who don’t have enough food miss more work days. Health problems from hunger cost U.S. companies $530 billion each year through absences and lower output. Employees often face impossible choices between buying food, medicine, or other basics.
Hungry children face specific challenges:
- Behavior problems: They’re more hyperactive and struggle to make friends
- Cognitive impacts: Missing key nutrients makes it hard to concentrate
- Long-term effects: Poor nutrition hurts brain growth and memory
Dr. Stile works through FLSF.org programs to give Las Vegas children and workers the nutritional support they need to succeed in school and at work.
How are Las Vegas families getting help today?
Las Vegas families struggling with food insecurity have strong community support. Our community has many programs that provide vital nutrition support, as highlighted in “Nutrition Under Pressure: Health Impacts of Food Insecurity.” These programs create a safety net that helps thousands of people get healthy meals each day.
What programs like SNAP, WIC, and school meals are helping Las Vegas families?
Las Vegas residents dealing with food shortages can access several government assistance programs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which people used to call Food Stamps, helps low-income families buy nutritious food. The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program provides supplemental foods among other benefits like nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and health service referrals.
Clark County School District steps up to support families with school-aged children. All CCSD students receive free breakfast and lunch meals at participating schools without household applications, thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision. This program helps children who might otherwise miss meals.
Nevada’s Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program launched with a one-time payment of $120 per eligible child. The program wants to curb childhood hunger during times when school meals aren’t available. An estimated 350,000 Nevada children benefit from this initiative.
How is Dr. Stile and FLSF.org supporting local families facing hunger?
Dr. Frank Stile’s Foundation (FLSF.org) takes on child hunger in Las Vegas. FLSF stands as Nevada’s only plastic surgery practice that dedicates proceeds to provide meals. The foundation works hard to improve nutrition for children both locally and across the nation.
The Foundation’s numbers tell an impressive story. FLSF donated 1 million meals to people facing hunger in 2017, which was way beyond their 750,000-meal goal. The Foundation’s contributions to the Feeding America network equal 8.5 million meals since its start in 2011.
Dr. Stile and his team show their commitment by volunteering twice monthly at Three Square food bank and other organizations. They pack lunches for children, prepare meals for seniors, and put together meal boxes for families in shelters.
The Great Recession’s rising food insecurity moved Dr. Stile to take action, and he stays committed to fighting hunger through action and education. He emphasizes, “Education, education, education” as the solution to food insecurity.
What can you do to help fight food insecurity in your community?
You can fight hunger right now. “Nutrition Under Pressure: Health Impacts of Food Insecurity” showed us how food shortages harm people’s bodies and minds. Let’s explore ways you can help through FLSF.org and local resources.
How can you donate food or money to fight hunger?
Your donations make a real difference in fighting hunger. Food banks can make your money go further. Many food banks turn each dollar into up to 10 meals. This makes cash donations very powerful.
If you want to donate food, these items are most needed:
- Peanut butter
- Canned soup, stew, fruit, vegetables, fish, and beans
- Whole grain pasta and brown rice
Food banks can’t use expired items, leftovers, or foods that need refrigeration. Dr. Stile’s FLSF.org welcomes both cash and food donations to help Las Vegas families struggling with food insecurity.
Why should you volunteer with FLSF or local food banks?
Your time makes an immediate difference. Feeding America’s food banks need people to sort donations, pack boxes, help families at food pantries, and deliver meals to seniors.
Dr. Stile and his FLSF.org team spend time twice monthly at local food banks. You can join their efforts or work directly with organizations like Three Square. Check a food bank’s website to find open volunteer slots. Most organizations list these chances online, so signing up is simple.
Volunteering helps everyone. You’ll meet new people, pick up new skills, and feel great about helping others.
How can you start a food drive or sponsor a pantry?
A food drive unites your community against hunger. Pick a local organization to help – your nearest food bank can suggest options if needed. Create a plan with your team about collection times, locations, and methods.
Set clear targets like food weight collected or meals provided. Share your event on social media, community boards, and local news outlets.
Businesses can create big changes too. Dr. Stile demonstrates through FLSF.org how companies can support mobile food pantries, school pantries, or community gardens. Companies can also match donations to double their effect.
Food insecurity touches everyone in Las Vegas. Your actions help build a healthier community for all.
Conclusion
Empty stomachs are just the beginning of food insecurity’s devastating effects on health. “Nutrition Under Pressure: Health Impacts of Food Insecurity” shows how poor nutrition damages both body and mind. Research clearly shows that hunger increases diabetes, heart disease, and obesity rates. On top of that, it creates stress, anxiety, and depression that can persist throughout life.
These effects hit children the hardest. Their growing bodies and developing brains depend on consistent nutrition. Our seniors struggle too, often choosing between food and vital medications. These vulnerable groups need immediate community support.
Dr. Stile and our team at FLSF.org see these challenges in Las Vegas families every day. Our commitment to fight hunger through direct action remains strong. The million meals we’ve provided help, but community needs keep growing. The solution lies in our collective effort as a community.
You can make a difference right now. Every donation, no matter how small, helps feed hungry families nearby. A mere $10 provides up to 100 meals through our strategic collaborations with food banks. Your time creates immediate results too – helping sort donations or pack meals ensures food reaches those who need it most.
Food insecurity puts our entire community’s health at risk. The challenge might seem daunting, but each meal we provide helps someone avoid hunger’s harmful effects. Supporting FLSF.org and local hunger relief programs brings Las Vegas closer to becoming hunger-free.
Take the Next Step:
Your journey starts now. The Frank L. Stile Foundation welcomes your unique contribution – time, resources, expertise, or voice. Remember Dr. Stile’s vision: ending child hunger happens one meal, one child, one day at a time.
FAQs
Q1. How does food insecurity affect overall health?
Food insecurity can lead to increased risks of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It also impacts mental health, causing stress, anxiety, and depression. Children and seniors are particularly vulnerable to the negative health effects of food insecurity.
Q2. What are the main differences between hunger and food insecurity?
While hunger is an individual physical sensation, food insecurity is a broader economic and social condition. Food insecurity refers to limited or uncertain access to adequate food, which may or may not result in hunger. It often forces people to make difficult choices between food and other necessities.
Q3. How does food insecurity impact children’s development and education?
Food insecurity can significantly hinder children’s cognitive development, academic performance, and behavior. It may lead to delayed development, lower academic achievement, and increased behavior problems. Children facing hunger often struggle to concentrate in school due to empty stomachs.
Q4. What programs are available to help food-insecure families in Las Vegas?
Several programs assist Las Vegas families facing food insecurity, including SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), WIC (Women, Infants and Children), and free school meals through the Clark County School District. Additionally, local organizations like the Frank L. Stile Foundation (FLSF.org) provide support through meal donations and volunteer work.
Q5. How can individuals contribute to fighting food insecurity in their community?
People can help fight food insecurity by donating money or food to local food banks, volunteering at organizations like FLSF.org or local food banks, starting food drives, or sponsoring food pantries. Even small contributions can make a significant impact, as many food banks can provide multiple meals for each dollar donated.
