In 2021, food insecurity in children rose by 27 per cent, this comes despite governments and non-profit organisations working tirelessly to ensure food is treated as a human right, and not a luxury.
Lack of nutritious food can lead to poor health at any age but experiencing food insecurity and malnourishment in primitive years can be catastrophic for a child’s health, wellbeing, and future prospects.
According to the World Health Organisation, 232.9 million children under the age of five are estimated to experience severe health conditions as a result of malnourishment.
The crucial role nutritious food plays in a child’s development is reinforced further when considering concentration and learning at school, making school meal support, crucial for child development and health.
Nutrition is vital for the acquisition of basic, yet essential literacy skills. A study published by JAMA Network showed that should a child be malnourished at age three, they were likely to have poorer verbal and full-scale cognitive ability. If this malnourishment continues, this can further lead to poorer IQ and neuropsychological performance by age 11.
Supporting nutrition during their formative school years can be pivotal for long-term cognitive benefits. Should this food support start later, lifelong impacts may have already taken effect, something which is represented in the food poverty cycle.
This cycle is extremely complex and unfortunately, once a person enters the cycle, it can be very difficult to leave. It can affect anyone; however, it’s hugely prevalent in communities with lower incomes as it is harder to get access to the right amount of food required for a balanced and nutritious diet.
Consequently, children from these communities are often unable to receive a proper education. This is due to difficulties at school and turning to work earlier in life to start earning money, limiting their career prospects in the future.
If they cannot obtain food at home, it is so important that the food poverty cycle is broken elsewhere by providing children with access to healthy and nutritious meals at school. Access to this food, especially during their formative years, can help break the cycle and offer a brighter future.
Whilst food aid is an essential need, it must have stability and consistency in order to take effect, with carefully considered nutritious foods available which will improve the health of a child. Having this support throughout their time at school can be the determining aspect for a successful and healthy life.
- The charity's projects include the provision of school food parcels in 'forgotten and neglected communities'. For more info click here