Simultaneous food and water insecurity more than doubled for American children between 2005 and 2020, increasing from 4.6 percent to 10.3 percent, according to a new study published in Nature Water on Friday.
Researchers analyzed data from 18,252 children provided by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), an assessment of health and nutrition. Food insecurity status was assigned based on responses to the survey, but water insecurity was measured by examining non-survey data.
Water insecurity was determined by evaluating whether children avoided using tap water. The research team’s previous studies found that tap water avoidance can offer insight into understanding water insecurity.
The authors could not pinpoint the reason for tap water avoidance. While low-income households tend to have a greater prevalence of tap water avoidance, water avoidance has also been reported in households with some of the highest incomes.
“Children who avoided tap water had significantly higher probability of experiencing household FI (food insecurity) ... than those who drank their tap water,” the authors wrote.
The Consequences of Food and Water Insecurity
Without adequate access to food and water, children are at risk of many physical and mental health issues, the researchers said.“Nearly one in 10 children were experiencing household food insecurity and avoiding their tap water by 2020, and we know that the COVID-19 pandemic only made food insecurity more pervasive,” Mr. Rosinger said. “That means millions of children in this country are facing potential negative consequences for their mental health, physical health and economic futures.”
What Can Be Done?
The research team said that U.S. policymakers can take measures to address water and food security. Programs like the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), which have been shown to reduce food insecurity, could be expanded. They also said states and local municipalities must begin rebuilding trust within their communities and ensure people know their water is safe to drink.“Right now, many people in the U.S. equate the existence of water infrastructure with being water secure,” Northwestern University associate professor Sera Young, co-author of the study, said in the press release. “But piped water can be unaffordable, contaminated, dried up or otherwise not available. And let us not forget that there are millions of people in the U.S. living without piped water.”