Nutrition

Manifestations of poverty in the realm of nutrition are a major threat to children and infants. The first 1000 days of an infant’s life is a period of crucial growth that defines a child’s development trajectory later in life, especially for proper brain and physical development. According to the Urban Child Institute, “food-insecure children under age 3 are 76% more likely to have problems in cognitive language and behavioral development,” than their food-secure peers (3). Other concerns include stunted growth, obesity, poor educational performance and behavioral and emotional regulation issues.

13.5 million low-income people in the USA reside in areas with poor access to sources of healthy food. 82% of this population live in urban areas (1) .
  1. Hamidi, S. (2019). Urban sprawl and the emergence of food deserts in the USA. Urban Studies, 57(8), 1660–1675. https://doi.org/10.1177/0042098019841540
  2. Siddiqui, F., Salam, R. A., Lassi, Z. S., & Das, J. K. (2020). The Intertwined Relationship Between Malnutrition and Poverty. Frontiers in Public Health, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00453
  3. Nutrition and Early Brain Development. (n.d.-b). Urban Child Institute. http://www.urbanchildinstitute.org/articles/updates/nutrition-and-early-brain-development