Food Insecurity in Canada
Hello and welcome to Green Schools Green Future! In this enlightening blog, we will be assessing the dangers of food insecurity and its effect on Canadians. Food insecurity is a threatening issue that remains pervasive to this day. The biggest misconception about food insecurity is that only third world countries are affected; however, according to the 2024 Poverty Report Cards, one in four Canadians are suffering from malnutrition.
What is Food Insecurity?
Food insecurity is the limited or undetermined access to healthy, nutritious foods. This also includes the restricted ability to acquire nourishing foods in an acceptable manner. Approximately 29.6% of the human population experience moderate to severe food insecurity. Apart from having staggering physical impacts, food insecurity can contribute to a decline in mental health as well. Uncertainty in your ability to acquire sufficient foods can provoke a stress response, thereby increasing risk of anxiety and depression. Food insecurity is an arduous feat for Canadians to overcome, especially with a limited or lacking income.
What Causes Food Insecurity?
Food insecurity stems from a number of different human-driven and natural factors including…
1. Low income
With grocery prices constantly on the rise, many families find it difficult to afford healthy foods. Many of the families in question contain only one working adult.
2. Rising housing costs
The cost of housing has so greatly heightened, social assistance programs are no longer as useful to lower-class Canadians. The well established housing crisis directly impacts food insecurity across the country.
3. Medical bills
Those living in food insecurity have greater cause for health care utilisation as well as significant health care expenditures.
4. Systemic racism and discrimination
Food insecurity in Canada is statistically more common among Indigenous communities, racialized communities and immigrant families.
5. The creation of food deserts
Food deserts are specific areas in which people have limited access to a variety of healthy foods. This is mainly due to a low income or living far off from sources of healthy foods that they are capable of affording.
What are the Health Impacts of Food Insecurity?
Inadequate access to sufficient foods has caused health issues in many Canadians. This includes an increased risk to many chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and mental health disorders. Majority of the affected population has difficulty managing these chronic illnesses because they do not have access to effective health care resources. Food insecurity also causes a sensitivity to obesity and improper nutrition. Malnourished people often have trouble adjusting to recommended diets and necessary prescribed medication. Improper use of medication can cause reinfection and even hospitalisation.
How has Malnutrition Affected Children?
– Increased likelihood of depression and anxiety
Specific nutrients are a necessity for the production of neurotransmitters which are required for the decreased risk of anxiety and depression. Therefore, without the required nutrients, chances of mental health disorders are heightened.
– Poor academic performance
Limitation on important nutrients can reduce brain cell production, impact cell size and complexity, and even lead to the deterioration of the level of communication between brain cells. The result of this is slower language development, weakened fine motor skills and a decreased level of IQ.
– Behavioural issues
Poor diet quality is a factor of risk for the development of behavioural health disorders. Lacking nutrition causes an inadequate production of neurotransmitters which are necessary for the regulation of a child’s mental health.
– Growth/developmental impairment
Severe malnutrition can result in bone deformity, neurological problems, vision loss, and a weakened immune system.
Closing Remarks
Thank you for reading this far! Hopefully you have discovered new information on this pressing matter of food insecurity in Canada. It is important that we acknowledge this issue in order to help these families thrive. On behalf of Green Schools Green Futures I would like to thank you once again for your contribution to our journey. Donations to the Green Schools Foundation have helped the Green Schools community grow and continue to shed light on these critical matters.
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Resources:
Malnutrition in Children 101: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment (nutritionnews.abbott)
Nutrition and behavioral health disorders: depression and anxiety – PMC (nih.gov)
Food Accessibility, Insecurity and Health Outcomes (nih.gov)
Food Insecurity Harmful to Children’s Development | Society for Research in Child Development SRCD
Poverty and food insecurity on rise, warns Food Banks Canada | Financial Post
Food insecurity | Description, Causes, & Facts | Britannica
Inequalities in Food Insecurity in Canada – Infographic – Canada.ca
