September is back to school time. Full of excitement and anticipation of new people, new experiences and new learning. But for many economically disadvantaged families, it is also a time of concern as their children face the return to school with anxiety often connected to the 7 health barriers to which these children are vulnerable: hunger, mental health and behavior problems; uncontrolled asthma; vision problems; dental pain; hearing problems; and lead exposure. (As defined by the Children’s Health Fund Healthy and Ready to Learn initiative. For more information see HRL resource center homepage: https://hrl.nyc/)
On the positive side, in NYC, being back in school will mean the certainty of at least 1 meal a day for the 20% of our city children who suffer from hunger and food insecurity. Ample Table for Everyone (ATE) was pleased to join in the effort to secure universal free lunch for all 1.1 million public school students, a program that began in September 2017. The next big push must be universal free breakfast in the classroom which is now offered in many school districts and has been proven to be most successful in giving children the start they need to succeed. According to a 2013 study by Deloitte for No Kid Hungry, children who have regular access to breakfast score 17.5% higher on standardized math tests.
But it is important at this time of year that we also focus on the long term damage food insecurity is having on these children who suffer from the impact of not having enough healthy food available to them on a 7 day/week, 52 weeks/year basis. A 1998 study from the Tufts University Center on Hunger, Poverty and Nutrition Policy demonstrates the effects of child hunger as well as a link between nutrition and cognitive development. Among the findings:
- Under-nutrition or food insecurity (not getting enough to eat on a regular basis) can delay brain development and ability to learn. The longer the food insecurity continues, the greater chance of cognitive delays.
- Iron deficiency anemia (low iron in blood) which affects nearly 25% of low income children, is linked with impaired ability to learn and decreased productivity in school aged children.
- Low income children that attend school hungry perform worse in standardized tests than low income children that arrive at school well-fed.
- Improved nutrition can change the effects of not getting enough to eat early in life.
In addition to this cognitive development impact, it has been identified that malnourished children tend to be sick more often and miss more school, both of which can have meaningful impact on their ability to learn and to stay on pace with their peers. Hunger also leads to restlessness and irritability which can result in potential behavioral issues for children. It can also limit their ability to concentrate which can having meaningful negative effects on learning.
So what can we do?
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- We need to protect the support and benefits currently available to help families gain access to ample healthy food including SNAP (formerly “food stamps”). The current Farm Bill in Congress, if passed, could result in 2 million low income Americans losing benefits. We must remain vigilant and informed and then take action when threats like this emerge.
- We need to help families better understand how to access and prepare healthy food in a manner that fits within their limited time and financial constraints. To that end, Ample Table for Everyone (ATE) has invested in creating curricula that addresses family food planning and preparation targeted to segments along the continuum from pregnancy and early introduction of food for infants through the needs of school aged children and teens and even addressing how those with limited resources can still eat healthy and nutritious food in college. Continue to watch our Blog for further information on these important resources and how to access them.
- We all need to become advocates for these vulnerable citizens of our city. They deserve better. Children in our city should not have to wonder where their next meal is coming from. We need to be vigilant and press for policies and programs that address this issue on a local level and demand for support from our Federal government as well.
- As the issue of universal free breakfast in the classroom comes up, join ATE in advocating for it. Check back on our website or follow us on Facebook for updates on these efforts. Similar to universal free lunch, this will be the best way to ensure all children have a healthy breakfast to start their day.
These children are part of the future of our city. They deserve a healthy start and a food secure life. The data supports the damage if they don’t, with implications that will follow them throughout their lives and impact not only their future but the future of our city as well. We must work together to make sure they are supported and well fed. Consider that our joint homework assignment!