Food shortages would have a major effect on young children. Children that suffer from food insecurity often would have slowed development when growing. This can lead to children having behavioral problems. Hyperactivity, anxiety, and aggressiveness in the classroom are all signs that a child could be suffering from food insecurity. Lack of food can also lead to many different chronic illnesses, such as asthma or anemia. Children in elementary school are the demographic that has shown the most effects from hunger problems. While food insecurity affects all, knowing that it affects children who are still developing and growing is something of major concern that could affect human development for years to come.
This video shows the overall effects that food insecurity has on families.
Although these shortages would have major effects on the youth, it still would have major negative effects on adults as well. Food shortages would lead to everyone becoming infected with diet-sensitive chronic diseases. These diseases can vary from Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and even obesity. One nonprofit organization, Feeding America, found that over half the households that they help with food insecurity have a family member that suffers from one of these diseases. If we were to continue the trend of lack of food throughout, we will see a major jump in the number of people struggling with these chronic diseases.
News report of the food crisis that we faced in 2020 due to the pandemic. Shows what could happen if we had a major food shortage lasted in America.