What can food insecurity cause?: Understanding the Impacts on Health, Development, and Society

December 19, 2025 •

2 min read

According to the UN, up to 783 million people faced chronic hunger in 2022, a devastating figure that underlines the severe and pervasive consequences of food insecurity. The effects of unreliable access to sufficient, nutritious food are far-reaching and touch every aspect of a person's life, from physical and mental health to long-term economic stability.

Quick Summary

The repercussions of food insecurity are widespread, affecting an individual's physical and mental health, hindering child development, and contributing to broader economic and social instability.

Key Points

Poor Physical Health: Food insecurity leads to higher rates of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity due to inconsistent access to nutritious food.
Significant Mental Health Burden: The stress and uncertainty of food insecurity increase the risk of developing anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.
Impaired Child Development: Lack of proper nutrition during early life can cause developmental delays, stunting, and cognitive problems in children.
Negative Educational Outcomes: Hungry children struggle to focus in school, leading to lower academic performance and potential behavioral issues.
Perpetuates Poverty: Food insecurity creates a cycle where poor health and reduced productivity lead to lower earning potential, trapping individuals in poverty.
Worsened Existing Conditions: Individuals may forgo essential medication or treatment to afford food, worsening pre-existing health issues.
Economic Strain: Poor health and productivity from food insecurity result in increased healthcare costs and reduced economic contributions at both the individual and societal levels.

The Profound Health Impacts of Food Insecurity

Food insecurity is a primary driver of poor health outcomes across all age groups, involving inadequate quantity and quality of food.

Malnutrition and Chronic Disease

Malnutrition is a direct consequence, potentially leading to undernutrition, nutrient deficiencies, or obesity. Reliance on cheap, low-nutrient foods contributes to chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and weakened immune function. Food insecurity can also exacerbate existing health problems as individuals may struggle to afford medication alongside food.

Mental and Emotional Consequences

The stress of uncertain food access creates psychological distress.

Stress, Anxiety, and Depression

Chronic stress is common due to the burden of providing food, leading to a higher risk of anxiety and depression. Severe food insecurity can even be a traumatic experience.

Social Isolation and Stigma

Shame and stigma associated with needing food assistance can result in social withdrawal, worsening mental health and creating feelings of exclusion.

The Damaging Impact on Children and Development

Children are particularly vulnerable, facing lifelong consequences. In 2023, over 36 million children globally were acutely malnourished.

Developmental Delays and Educational Attainment

Malnutrition can cause irreversible cognitive and motor delays. Iron deficiency impacts language and motor skills, while hunger impairs concentration and academic performance. Children may also exhibit increased aggression, anxiety, and behavioral issues.

Risks During Pregnancy

Food insecurity during pregnancy raises risks of premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects, and anemia.

Economic and Societal Consequences

The effects of food insecurity extend to communities and economies, perpetuating poverty and poor health.

Reduced Productivity and Economic Strain

Food insecurity can decrease adult productivity due to poor health and difficulty concentrating. The resulting chronic diseases increase healthcare costs. The pressure to secure food can force families into poverty by selling assets.

Comparison of Impacts: Adults vs. Children


Area	Impact on Children	Impact on Adults
Health	Higher risk of chronic illnesses (e.g., asthma), obesity, and infectious diseases.	Higher risk of chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease), obesity, and worsened existing illnesses.
Development	Developmental delays (cognitive, motor), poor cognitive function, and growth stunting.	Reduced productivity, lower wages, and increased financial stress.
Mental Health	Increased risk of anxiety, aggression, and depression, with potential long-term mood disorders.	Increased rates of depression, anxiety, stress, and mood disorders.
Education/Work	Difficulty concentrating in school, lower academic performance, and increased behavioral problems.	Decreased concentration and lower productivity at work, with higher rates of absenteeism due to illness.

Conclusion

What can food insecurity cause is a wide range of interconnected issues impacting health, development, and societal stability. Addressing this global challenge requires tackling root causes beyond just food provision, focusing on public health, economic stability, and community support to break the cycle of poverty and hunger.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hunger is the physical sensation of needing food, while food insecurity is the broader condition of having unreliable access to enough affordable, nutritious food to maintain a healthy life. Hunger can be a result of food insecurity.

Yes, it can. People experiencing food insecurity often rely on cheaper, energy-dense foods that are high in calories but low in nutrients. This can lead to weight gain and obesity, creating a paradox where undernutrition and obesity coexist.

Children are highly vulnerable to the effects of food insecurity, which can cause developmental delays, impaired cognitive function, chronic illnesses like asthma, anxiety, and poor academic performance.

The constant stress and worry associated with food insecurity significantly increase the risk of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and mood disorders. It can also lead to social isolation and feelings of shame.

Yes, it does. Food insecurity can lower workforce productivity due to poor health and energy levels. It increases healthcare costs and traps families in a cycle of poverty, affecting a community's overall economic stability.

Yes. The USDA defines food insecurity on a scale from high food security to marginal, low, and very low food security, with each level representing increasing severity of food access issues.

Yes, food insecurity can be a traumatic experience, especially for children and parents who worry about their next meal. The emotional toll can result in long-term psychological impacts.