The term food security has been interpreted to mean different things over the years. All of the explanations revolved around the state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, …show more content…
Food insecurity was found to be related to anxiety and depression to mothers and their affect children. Mental health problems in mothers and children are more common when mothers are food insecure (Whitaker et al., 2006). Another article published by the Journal of Nutrition shows the relationship between food insecurity and decreased academic performance in reading and mathematics for girls and boys. Furthermore, a decline in social skills for boys, as well as greater weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) gains for girls. In adults food insecurity is linked to hypertension and diabetes. According to a study done by Seligman et Al., adults with food insecurity are likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and other self-reported chronic disease including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and general health status. This study confirmed these findings with clinical evidence of disease among participants. Even though the most severe food insecurity is typically related to catastrophes such as drought, floods, war, or earthquakes, most food insecurity is linked not with catastrophes, but rather with chronic poverty. According to Barrett “Only 8% of hunger related deaths worldwide in 2004 were caused by humanitarian emergencies; 92% were associated with chronic or recurring hunger and malnutrition”, with the difference being greatest in the poorest countries. …show more content…
According to an article published in the Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics improvements in global food security for the period from 2006 to 2050 were predicted. The same journal says that “Despite growing population and increased biofuel demand, baseline income growth, coupled with projected increases in agricultural productivity lead to a 24 percent rise in global average dietary energy intake”. Therefore, malnutrition is predicted to fall by 84 percent, lifting more than half a billion people out of extreme hunger. These forecasts depend heavily on agricultural productivity growth. However, unforeseen outcomes and climate change adds uncertainty to these