"Hunger is something no one should struggle with, or be judged for" -Dawn, ID (Feeding America)
Causes
Job Instability - A person's job has one of the most major impacts on whether or not they could be victims of hunger. Just because a person has work does not mean that they will make sufficient funds to meet their own basic needs.
Rising Food Prices - A poor economy greatly affects the prices of food. When food prices become higher, people will struggle to find sufficient funds to support both themselves and their families.
Single Parent Families - When there is only one working adult in a family, financial struggles will become more of an issue when less income is available.
Underemployment - While unemployment rates are high, cuts in hours or wages are also a largely influence in adding to the hunger rate in the U.S.
Effects
Risk of Poor Health - Food instability has multiple effects on health, including low blood pressure, nausea, and it also will impact a person's moods, making them more irritable.
Lowered Education - When the body is hungry it ultimately starves the brain, making it difficult for a person to concentrate. This can particularly impact children in school, making their chances of repeating a grade or being absent much more likely.
Higher Health Care - The U.S. spends approximately $28 billion dollars every year due to illnesses caused by lack of food or food insecurity. This ends up resulting in higher health care costs due to the amount of hospitalization needed for those who are impacted by hunger.
Lower Expectations - When a child is impacted by hunger, they are much more likely to receive a lower level of education, and will not be able to perform as well in their adult lives. This lowers competitiveness in the workforce, and decreases technical skills.