17 Percent Of US Children Under 5 May Face Hunger

WASHINGTON — An estimated 3.5 million children younger than 5 are at risk of hunger in the United States, according to government numbers provided by an anti-hunger group.

That's more than 17 percent of children who could suffer cognitive and developmental damage if they are not properly fed.

The not-for-profit advocacy group Feeding America based its findings on 2005-2007 data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Agriculture Department. The study, released Thursday, is the first to look at these numbers for children under the age of 5, according to the group. Feeding America runs food banks and feeding centers around the country.

The study also shows that in 11 states, more than 20 percent of children under 5 are at risk of going hungry. Louisiana has the highest rate, with just under a quarter of children at risk, followed by North Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Idaho and Arkansas.

According to the Agriculture Department, 11 percent of households lacked enough food for an active, healthy life before the economy worsened late last year.

The study looks at a range of children who are at risk, from those who have low quality or variety of food to those who regularly experience hunger.

A lack of nutritious food, especially in the earliest formative years, can have a lasting impact on physical and behavioral health, along with development and academic achievement.

"These children without the availability of nutrition don't have the chance to spring back," said Vicki Escarra, president and chief executive of Feeding America.

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Escarra said the group is lobbying Congress and the White House for more federal funding for food bank programs that target young children. President Barack Obama has pledged to expand food aid and end childhood hunger by 2015.

Dr. John Cook, the lead researcher on the report and an associate professor of pediatrics at Boston Medical Center, says hunger varies by state based on two main factors _ the level of employment and poverty, and the extent of food and income assistance programs in the region.

Anne Goodman, executive director of the Cleveland Foodbank in Ohio, says there are several successful programs to feed school-age children, but beyond government nutrition programs, infants and toddlers can be harder to help.

The study was paid for by The ConAgra Foods Foundation, a charity arm of the large food company.

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On the Net:

Feeding America: http://www.feedingamerica.org/

Comments

[Joejam2845]

I thought kids today were Fatter than ever? Or are we to believe that these kids are from Illegals who do nothing but Ape the U.S. Taxpayer???

[davidwayneosedach]

How does this figure compare with other developed countries? Our Health system (for example) is pretty low on the list. We may be the world leader now but we are fading fast. The 200 year old American dynasty is going, going...

[wdw505]

that's not that bad

[yearlin]

sorry to bust any one's bubble but there have been starving children in this country as long as it has been founded...which is strange since now there are so many programs for struggling parents to help them feed their kids.

[Hirnlego]

"You gentlemen who think you have a mission
To purge us of the seven deadly sins
Should first sort out the basic food position
Then start your preaching, that’s where it begins

You lot who preach restraint and watch your waist as well
Should learn, for once, the way the world is run
However much you twist or whatever lies that you tell
Food is the first thing, morals follow on"

[sophieozz]

This is why I get annoyed at American celebs who run off to Africa and Asia to adopt children and feed the hungry. Certainly there is dire need in many places, but there is also an increasing need in the U.S.

Another thing ... I've worked as a food distribution volunteer and am shocked at how many organizations dole out sugary drinks.

[kapalabhati]

Saturday May 9, 2009, the National Association of Letter Carriers is sponsoring a nationwide collection drive for food banks. Please consider leaving bags of unperishibles at your mailbox for your letter carrier to pick up.

http://www.nalc.org/commun/foodrive/

[Desviada]

thanks for the info! I'm definitely participating and spreading the word.

[Dolmance]

Well, it's comforting to know that about half of our health care dollars goes to buying 60 million dollar yachts and multiple mansions for old white guys who use their positions in publicly traded companies to write the salaries of their friends and themselves. So I guess it's just the cost of doing business.

Be strong. We can take the pain of others. And never, ever be guilty of "empathy." Because empathy is for sob sisters and saps.