The

position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is that systematic and sustained
action is needed to achieve food and nutrition security for all in the United States. This
position paper is effective from May 17, 2007 until December 31, 2014. The author is David
H. Holben PhD, RD,LD.
According to the Academy access to adequate food and nutrition is a human right
that American people should not be deprived of. It is the position of the Academy that Food
insecurity in the U.S. can be decreased by properly funding for food and nutrition
assistance programs. These programs must also include educational opportunities to learn
about food and nutrition. Innovative programs must also be implemented to enlighten
people on how to support themselves or their families. These programs teach participants
how to effectively apply the food and nutrition information they were taught. In the
position paper food insecurity is defined as limited or uncertain availability of
nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable
foods in socially acceptable ways. The Academys main goal is to end food insecurity in the
United States. Terminating food insecurity would lead to significant health and nutrition
improvement. The goals of healthy people 2020 include eliminating preventable disease,
health disparities, and premature death, improving the health of all groups of people,
achieving health equity and promoting healthful development during all stages of life.
Establishing food security will lead to the achievement of these goals.
Food insecurity assessments have shown that food insecurity is strongly associated
with poverty rates in America. Food insecurity was experienced by 14.6% of households.
The households at greatest risk for food insecurity included households with incomes
below the income-to-poverty ratio, households with children headed by a single woman or


man, households headed by a black or Hispanic and households located in principle cities
(areas incorporated into a large city). According to the national estimates of food insecurity
in the United States, food insecurity is directly related to the use of a food pantry and
emergency kitchen. The support and growth of food distribution programs is essential to
eliminating food insecurity.
The outcomes of food insecurity affect the health and development of children,
adolescents and adults. Physical, mental and social impairments such as obesity,
depression, lack of essential nutrients, behavior problems, and low education achievement
are all results of food insecurity. Studies have shown n the United States those who
experience food insecurity do not consume essential nutrients. They do not have an
adequate intake of vegetables especially dark leafy green vegetables. Also, children who
were food insecure consumed more fat, did not have food available at home, did not have
family meals or breakfast and had many barriers (lack of transportation, education,
economic security) that prevented them from healthful eating. The Academy promotes
interventions that focus on removing these barriers.
Women were found to be most vulnerable to nutrient deprivation because they
sacrificed their fruit and vegetable intake for their children. Pregnant women who are
experiencing food insecurity have a greater risk of birth defects. The academy proposes
that in order to solve nutrient deficiency amongst those who are food insecure sufficient
funding for food and nutrition assistance programs must be provided. The academy also
emphasizes increased implementation of nutrition education into the programs.
The Academy is highly concerned with chronic disease as an outcome of food
insecurity. Food insecurity is related to increased rates of diabetes and obesity and immune


deficiency. Research has supported that food insecurity is associated with obesity in adults,
especially women. The causes of this include overeating when food is available and diets
consisting of high fat and sugary foods. Also, lack of education about nutrition and the
affordability of nutritious foods is also a factor.
Food and nutrition security are improved with federal and community assistance
programs. The academy stresses the need for funding of such programs to further
eliminate food insecurity. A long-term, dependable, broad-based plan is needed to
nutritionally support U.S. citizens. The academy proposes that research, monitoring and
evaluation, creating economic security and self-sufficiency, aiding in food distribution, and
providing educational services are effective strategies that will reduce food insecurity. The
government, schools, health agencies and non profit organizations need to work as a team
to develop the foundation needed to establish nationwide food security. Programs that
support growth of food security must be sustained. Examples of food security programs
include SNAP (decrease reliance on emergency food programs), farmers markets,
community gardens, community agriculture programs, and food recovery programs.
The role of registered dietitian is vital to the elimination of food insecurity.
Dietitians can partner with community leaders and organizations to build and improve
food systems and programs. They can also encourage their clients to use food assistance
programs and provide nutrition education and job opportunities. An important component
in improving food security is recording and the dietary outcomes of food insecurity.
Therefore, education and assistance programs can be directed towards the documented
outcomes. Dietitians must collaborate with community education and intervention
programs. For example gardening education and school gardens increase availability of


produce and decrease food insecurity. Dietitians can effectively communicate the
information known about the causes and outcomes of food insecurity to other
professionals, the community, legislators and policy makers. Dietitians can use the
Nutrition Care Process to screen clients for the potential lack of access to food by
conducting a survey-questionnaire or counseling. If a client is determined to be food
insecure the dietitian can guide them to nutrition education and assistance programs and
follow up on their progress towards food security. Dietitians can work to improve
assistance programs by providing their service and knowledge to these programs. They can
also create food-based projects that create job opportunities and ultimately achieve
economic security for people who are food insecure. Networking and collaboration with
other professionals and the community is crucial to eliminating food insecurity.
I agree with the position of the academy that food insecurity is an imperative issue
in the United States that must be resolved. Food insecurity directly affects the mental and
physical health of the citizens of the Unites States and dietitians must be concerned with
these health outcomes. In order to reach the goals proposed by Healthy People 2020,
eliminate preventable disease achieve health equity and to create social and physical
environments that promote good health for every person, food insecurity must be
eliminated. I strongly agree that all people of the United States have the human right to
have access to nutritious food. Proper funding for food assistance programs is vital to their
success. Also, interventions in these programs to create long term and effective solutions
are paramount. Registered dietitians must be used to implement education about food and
nutrition into these programs. Self- sufficiency and economic security is vital to reducing
food insecurity. People who experience food insecurity must be taught how to provide food


for themselves and their families. They must also be given assistance in the process of
joining the work force and obtaining economic security. I agree that dietitians do play an
extremely important role in increasing food security in the U.S. Dietitians can send a
powerful message to legislators and policy makers with the documentations about the
health outcomes of food insecurity. They can collaborate with the government, health
institutions and the community to create easily accessible and effective assistance
programs for Americans who are food insecure.



References
Holben, D. Position of the American Dietetic Association: Food Insecurity in the United
States. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 2010;110:1368-1377.