Written by Megan Rouse, Communications Associate, UCLA Center for the Developing Adolescent
Everyone needs reliable access to healthy food, and the extensive physical, brain, and social development that occurs during adolescence, between the ages of 10 to 25, makes secure access to food even more important. This significant period of growth also provides a window of opportunity in which investments in stable access to nutrition can help set up our young people for healthy futures and thriving adulthoods. Additionally, accurate, up-to-date information about who is facing food insecurity in the United States can help us create more effective and efficient assistance and distribution programs to support our families and adolescents.
Adequate Nutrition During Adolescence Supports Rapid Physical and Cognitive Growth and Benefits Society
Adolescence is a developmental period of rapid physical and cognitive growth. Physically, adolescents grow faster than at any other stage of development apart from infancy. This intense growth can make adolescents more vulnerable to the physical effects of malnutrition, which can cause health and cognitive issues later in life. Malnutrition during adolescence can increase the likelihood of getting osteoporosis, stunt adult height, increase the risk for diabetes and obesity, and even lead to lower life expectancies.
Food insecurity, which is defined as limited or uncertain access to enough nutritious and safe food, also impacts adolescent mental health. Studies show that adolescents who experience food insecurity are more likely to experience depression and suicidal ideation compared to their peers. And, adolescents who experience food insecurity report worse sleep quality, which has been shown to have a range of negative impacts on youth mental and physical health, as well as academic performance.
But, this period of immense growth and development also provides an opportunity, where increased investment and food assistance can set up the next generation to be thriving adults. Investing in adolescent and child nutrition is also proven to be good for the nation as a whole. Studies show that nutrition programs boost the economy, and each dollar invested in children’s and adolescents’ nutrition eventually returns $62 back to the economy. Additionally, studies suggest that children who received nutrition benefits such as SNAP had increased financial security and better life expectancy outcomes in adulthood.
Recent Changes in Food Benefits and Food Insecurity Data Collection
Recent changes in how many people can access food supplement benefits and in how we collect data about food insecurity in the United States may leave more young people vulnerable to experiencing food insecurity at this critical stage in development.
Recent changes in SNAP eligibility will specifically impact families with adolescents. Previously, parents or guardians caring for children under 18 were exempt from the three-month limit on SNAP benefits unless they met specific work requirements. Now, with policy changes enacted earlier this year, the cutoff will be lowered to 14, meaning that many families with older teenagers may no longer qualify for this nutrition assistance.
Additionally, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that it would no longer be implementing its longstanding Household Food Security Reports, which have tracked food insecurity data in the United States for over 30 years. Tracking who and how many people lack consistent access to nutritious food has been central to informing how we distribute assistance and create effective policies, programs, and budgets for the coming year. New limits to information about who is affected by food insecurity will make it harder to create informed, research-based systems that support the families and adolescents most in need.
Conclusion
Tracking and tackling food insecurity in the United States not only supports our young people, but it also benefits society at large, both economically and socially, setting us all up for a thriving future.
Investing in programs and policies that provide adolescents with access to quality food has been proven to support mental health, increase academic achievement, and decrease the occurrence of long-term health issues. Additionally, tracking food insecurity in the United States is critical to inform our understanding of the scope and nuances of this issue, and is necessary for the creation of efficient, effective, and informed assistance programs and policies.
Read more about the impacts of food insecurity during adolescence in our STEPS for Youth Science Spotlight: Providing Stable Access to Healthy Food Supports Adolescents’ Brain Development as Well as Physical and Mental Health.
Key Concepts
- Adolescence is characterized by rapid physical and cognitive growth, making adolescents particularly vulnerable to the effects of inconsistent and unreliable access to healthy food, which can cause a host of physical health issues later in life.
- Food insecurity during adolescence can have long-term impacts on adolescent mental health and well-being.
- Adolescents with secure access to food report better sleep, achieve higher GPAs, and have longer life expectancies.
- Investing in health and nutrition during childhood and adolescence has proven to boost the economy, with one study showing that each dollar invested in children’s and adolescents’ nutrition returns $62 back to the economy.
- Accurate, up-to-date data on food insecurity in the United States can highlight which young people are most likely to face food insecurity and can help us create more efficient and effective distribution methods for those who need it most.
