Which Group of People are More Susceptible to Food Insecurity?

November 16, 2025 •

5 min read

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, approximately 2.33 billion people worldwide were food insecure in 2023, with certain demographics bearing a disproportionate burden. Understanding which group of people are more susceptible to food insecurity is crucial for developing effective, targeted interventions to address this complex global issue.

Quick Summary

Food insecurity disproportionately affects marginalized and vulnerable populations due to a combination of socioeconomic, systemic, and environmental factors. Key at-risk groups include low-income individuals, single-parent households, people of color, the elderly, those with disabilities, and communities experiencing conflict or displacement. These factors compound, creating cycles of hunger and poor health.

Key Points

Poverty and low income: Unstable, low wages and high living costs are the primary drivers for food insecurity among low-income households.
Systemic racism: Racial and ethnic minorities, particularly Black and Indigenous communities, face disproportionately high rates of food insecurity due to historical and ongoing discrimination in housing, employment, and education.
Children: Malnutrition in children can lead to severe and long-lasting negative impacts on their physical growth, cognitive development, mental health, and academic performance.
Elderly: Seniors are at risk due to fixed incomes, chronic health issues, lack of transportation, and social isolation, which can hinder their access to healthy food.
Gender and household structure: Single-parent households, especially those led by women, experience food insecurity at much higher rates due to limited income and greater caregiving responsibilities.
Disability: People with disabilities face higher risks of food insecurity because of unemployment, lower earnings, higher medical expenses, and barriers to accessing food and assistance.
Conflict and displacement: Communities in conflict zones or those displaced by crises are highly vulnerable to food shortages caused by damaged infrastructure, disrupted food systems, and blocked aid.
The obesity paradox: Counterintuitively, some food-insecure populations face higher rates of obesity due to reliance on inexpensive, calorie-dense foods and cycles of feast and famine.

Socioeconomic and Systemic Factors

The vulnerability to food insecurity is not random; it is deeply rooted in a complex interplay of socioeconomic conditions and systemic inequalities. Poverty is consistently identified as a primary driver, with low and unstable incomes directly hindering the ability of individuals and households to purchase adequate, nutritious food. In developed nations like the United States, Black communities face significantly higher rates of food insecurity due to persistent systemic racism and economic inequality. These systemic barriers manifest in limited access to employment, education, and other resources necessary for a healthy life.

Economic and Community Environment

Beyond individual household income, the broader economic and community environment plays a critical role. The high cost of living, including expensive housing, utilities, and healthcare, can stretch already tight budgets, forcing families to make difficult trade-offs between essential expenses and food. Additionally, geographic factors known as "food deserts," which are areas lacking nearby supermarkets with affordable, healthy food options, exacerbate the problem. Residents in these areas, particularly those without reliable transportation, are often left with limited and expensive food choices from convenience stores.

Vulnerability Across Different Demographics

Children

Children are among the most vulnerable to the adverse effects of food insecurity, which can have lifelong consequences on their physical, mental, and cognitive development. Malnutrition in early life is linked to lower IQ, poor academic performance, and higher rates of chronic diseases later in life. Childhood hunger can also lead to increased anxiety, depression, and behavioral problems, further compromising a child's well-being. Families frequently attempt to shield children from hunger, but the psychological stress of food scarcity still takes a toll.

The Elderly

Seniors face a unique set of challenges that increase their susceptibility to food insecurity, often complicated by social isolation and declining health. Transportation issues can make it difficult for them to get to grocery stores or food pantries. Many live on fixed incomes that fail to keep pace with the rising cost of food, forcing them to cut back on groceries to afford other necessities like medication. Chronic health conditions common in older age can also affect their ability to prepare food or consume certain foods, and social isolation can further limit their access to meals and support.

Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous populations globally are disproportionately affected by food insecurity due to systemic injustices, colonization, and the loss of traditional food systems. In many places, the destruction of indigenous lands, the disruption of local food sources, and intergenerational trauma have severely impacted food sovereignty and nutritional health. High rates of poverty and harassment can further reduce the ability of Indigenous peoples to purchase and prepare healthy food, despite strong community and kinship ties that often provide a buffer.

Single-Parent Households

Households headed by a single parent, especially single mothers, face significantly higher rates of food insecurity. A single income must cover all household expenses, including childcare and unexpected financial emergencies, leaving little room for a consistent, healthy food budget. This burden can lead parents to sacrifice their own nutritional needs to ensure their children are fed, a common but unsustainable coping strategy.

The Intersection of Food Insecurity and Disability

Individuals with disabilities are more susceptible to food insecurity due to a variety of factors, including higher rates of unemployment, lower incomes, and increased living expenses. They may also face obstacles related to transportation, physical accessibility, and the capacity to prepare meals. Research also suggests that the relationship between disability and food insecurity is modified by age and socioeconomic factors, highlighting the complex nature of this vulnerability.

Comparison of Key Vulnerable Groups


Vulnerable Group	Primary Risk Factors	Key Challenges	Potential Impacts
Low-Income Families	Poverty, unemployment, unstable wages, high living costs.	Affordability issues, reliance on cheap, low-nutrient foods, stress.	Malnutrition, poor physical and mental health, obesity paradox.
Children	Low household income, parental stress, nutritional needs.	Physical and cognitive development delays, poor school performance, behavioral issues.	Lifelong health problems, limited future economic opportunities.
The Elderly	Fixed incomes, health problems, social isolation, transportation issues.	Difficulty accessing and preparing food, trade-offs between food and medication.	Increased chronic disease risk, mental health issues.
Indigenous Peoples	Systemic injustice, colonization, loss of traditional lands and food systems.	Cultural displacement, loss of food sovereignty, intergenerational trauma.	Health disparities, disruption of food traditions.
Single-Parent Households	Single income, high expenses, time constraints, caregiver stress.	Limited budget for food, parental sacrifice of nutrition.	High food insecurity rates, increased stress and mental health issues.
Individuals with Disabilities	Higher unemployment, lower income, accessibility barriers, medical costs.	Difficulty with transportation and food preparation, financial strain.	Increased vulnerability to poor health and social isolation.

The Paradox of Obesity and Food Insecurity

One surprising but well-documented aspect of food insecurity is its correlation with obesity, particularly among women and low-income populations. This paradox arises because food-insecure individuals often rely on cheaper, energy-dense foods that are high in calories, fats, and sugars but low in nutritional value, as these options maximize calories per dollar spent. Cycles of food deprivation followed by overeating when resources become available can also lead to weight gain and unhealthy metabolic changes. Stress and depression associated with food insecurity contribute to poor dietary choices and sedentary lifestyles.

Conflict, Displacement, and Food Insecurity

In regions experiencing conflict, food insecurity is often deliberately used as a weapon of war. The destruction of agricultural infrastructure, displacement of populations, and disruption of markets and trade routes create severe food shortages. Humanitarian aid is frequently blocked or delayed by warring parties, further exacerbating the crisis. Displaced populations, often residing in temporary settlements, lose their livelihoods and are highly dependent on external assistance for survival.

Conclusion

Food insecurity is a multifaceted crisis that disproportionately affects groups facing systemic disadvantage. From the economic struggles of low-income families and single parents to the systemic barriers faced by Indigenous populations and people of color, the risk factors are cumulative and compounding. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable due to age-related dependencies and health concerns, while those with disabilities contend with additional accessibility and economic hurdles. Acknowledging the complex drivers, including poverty, inequality, conflict, and environmental factors, is the first step toward building a more resilient and equitable food system for all. Addressing this issue requires holistic strategies that tackle the root causes of inequality and provide targeted, culturally appropriate support for the most susceptible populations. To learn more about global efforts, the World Food Programme website offers valuable resources on their work in addressing hunger crises across the globe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Poverty and low, unstable income are consistently the primary factors, as they limit a household's ability to afford sufficient, nutritious food.

Malnutrition during critical developmental years can lead to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, poor cognitive function, and higher risks of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart problems in adulthood.

Systemic racism creates long-term economic inequality, discriminatory housing practices leading to food deserts, and unequal access to quality education and employment, all of which increase food insecurity risk for marginalized racial and ethnic groups.

Single mothers often manage a household on a single, and often low, income. They bear the majority of childcare and domestic responsibilities, leaving less time and financial resources for securing food, and may prioritize their children's food needs over their own.

Conflict disrupts agricultural production, destroys infrastructure, and displaces populations, plunging communities into poverty and food shortages. The deliberate blocking of humanitarian aid also exacerbates hunger.

Known as the obesity paradox, the link arises because food-insecure households often purchase cheaper, processed, and high-calorie foods to stretch their budget. This, combined with cycles of food deprivation and overeating, can lead to weight gain and obesity.

Seniors living alone may lack the social support networks needed for transportation, grocery shopping, and meal preparation. This isolation, combined with fixed incomes and declining health, significantly increases their risk of being food insecure.