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are 13 million children suffering with hunger in United States alone.
“1 in 8 children under age of twelve goes to bed hungry every
night” (America’s Second Harvest). Hunger is defined
as the inability to purchase enough food to meet basic nutritional
needs. Hungry children experience uneasy or painful sensation caused
by missing a meal or not eating on a regular basis, over time may
result in malnutrition. Research shows the consequences of hunger
affects all children physically, psychologically, behaviorally,
and academically.
Adverse Consequences of Childhood Hunger
Health
- Poorer overall health status and compromised ability
to resist illness
- Elevated occurrence of health problems such as
stomachaches, headaches, colds, ear infections, and fatigue
- Impaired physical growth
- Greater incidence of hospitalizations
Psychosocial and Behavioral
- Higher levels of aggression, hyperactivity, and
anxiety as well as passivity
- Difficulty getting along with other children
- Increased need for mental health services
Learning and Academic
- Impaired cognitive functioning and diminished
capacity to learn
- Lower test scores and poorer overall school achievement
- Impaired memory and verbal skills
- Increased school absences, tardiness, and school
suspensions
- Repeating a grade in school
*Research data based on The Center on Hunger and
Poverty, www.centeronhunger.org Kids
Food Basket’s Criteria to Use in Identifying Undernourished
or Nutritionally At-Risk Students
- Impaired cognitive functioning and diminished
capacity to learn
- Complaints of being hungry
- Asking others for food or more school snacks
- Reports of missed meals at home
- # of days of absences and tardiness
- Frequent illnesses
- Lack of concentration
- Low levels of energy and tiredness
- Eating fast, constant desire for food
- 1st in line for cafeteria
- Family home life & financial situations
- Homelessness
- Lack of parental involvement
- Loss of weight or really thin
- Laziness and unmotivated
- Dark eye circles
- Poor skin & hair condition
- Inadequate grooming
- Complaints of stomachaches
- Frequent visits to school nurse
- Low standardized test scores
- Frequent errors
- Hyperactive and aggressive
- Passive
- Lack of participation
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