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ADA REPORTS
ABSTRACT
In 2000, over 10% of United States (US) households, including more than 33 million people, experienced food insecurity. Food insecurity negatively affects the dietary intake and nutritional status of adults leading to poor health and increased risk for the development of chronic diseases. Food insecurity also negatively affects children's health, psychological and cognitive functioning, and their academic achievement. It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that systematic and sustained action is needed to bring an end to domestic food insecurity and hunger and to achieve food and nutrition security for all in the US. Immediate and long-range interventions, including adequate funding for and increased utilization of food and nutrition assistance programs, the inclusion of food and nutrition education in all programs providing food and nutrition assistance, and innovative programs to promote and support the economic selfsufficiency of individuals and families, are key to ending domestic food insecurity. Dietetics professionals can play a key role in ending food insecurity not only through competent and collaborative practice, but also through advocacy efforts at the local, state, regional, and national levels.
POSITION STATEMENT
It is the position of the American Dietetic Association that systematic and sustained action is needed to bring an end to domestic food insecurity and hunger and to achieve food and nutrition security for all in the US. The association believes that immediate and long-range interventions are needed, including adequate funding for and increased utilization of food and nutrition assistance programs, the inclusion of food and nutrition education in all programs providing food and nutrition assistance, and innovative programs to promote and support the economic self-sufficiency of individuals and families, to end domestic hunger and food insecurity.
While food and nutrition assistance programs, including the National School Lunch and Food Stamp Programs, among others, have virtually eliminated the extreme forms of hunger common in developing countries, less severe forms of food insecurity and hunger continue in millions of households across the nation (1). Given the agricultural bounty and wealth of the United States, it is not only inhumane but also unwise and shortsighted, from a human capital perspective, to allow food insecurity and hunger to continue to exist at their present levels.
Food security means that all...