In the United States, the number of children experiencing both water and food insecurity at the same time more than doubled from 2005 to 2020. According to a new study, Black children were 3.5 times more likely than white children to face both food and water insecurity, while Hispanic children were 7.1 times more likely.
According to Asher Rosinger, an associate professor of biobehavioral health and anthropology at Penn State, and Sera Young, an associate professor of anthropology at Northwestern University, new research findings are suggesting that both water insecurity and food insecurity often occur simultaneously among children in the United States. The study, published in Nature Water, analyzed data from 18,252 children using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative assessment of health and nutrition conducted annually.Water insecurity and food insecurity have been a concern for many years, with water insecurity being linked to mental health problems, physical health issues, nutrition problems, and economic issues. On the other hand, food insecurity has been associated with mental health issues, diabetes, poor nutrition, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. These insecurities are often driven by poverty, lack of access to resources, and climate-related issues globally.In high-income nations like the United States, food and water insecurity can be caused by various factors such as sudden loss of income, family instability, or infrastructure issues. While more common in lower-income households, researchers have found that water and food insecurity occur more frequently than expected in the U.S.
An increasing concern
Between 2005-06, 4.6% of all children in the United States experienced both water and food insecurity. However, in the 2017-2020 survey cycle, the researchers discovered that the percentage of children nationwide facing both issues had increased to 10.3%.
Throughout theThroughout the 20th century, there was an overall improvement in rates of both food insecurity and water insecurity, as stated by Rosinger, who is in charge of the Penn State College of Health and Human Development Environmental Health Sciences Program and manages the Water, Health and Nutrition Lab. However, the researchers discovered a steady, gradual increase in household food insecurity during the study period. Water insecurity fluctuated between 2005 and 2013. The 2013 water crisis in Flint, Michigan, garnered national attention. Between 2013 and 2020, the likelihood of water insecurity also fluctuated.The percentage of children who avoid drinking tap water has increased by 88%, according to researchers. They have found that there is a strong connection between water and food issues. Previous studies by the authors showed a link between water and food insecurity in adults, and this new study reveals that children who do not drink tap water are more likely to experience food insecurity. Avoiding tap water is also linked to other problems that can impact food and water consumption. Rosinger, one of the researchers, points out that those who avoid tap water are less likely to cook healthy meals for their children because they don’t have a reliable source of water in their kitchen taps. This avoidance of tap water can lead to various issues affecting both food and water intake.Consuming high levels of sugary drinks can lead to financial strain, as people may have less money to spend on nutritious food when they are also spending on expensive bottled water. According to Rosinger, nearly one in 10 children were experiencing household food insecurity and avoiding tap water in 2020, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the issue. This means that millions of children in the United States are at risk of negative consequences for their mental, physical, and economic well-being. Additionally, there are significant racial disparities in these statistics compared to the national average.The research found that Black children are 3.5 times more likely than white children to experience both food and water insecurity at the same time. In comparison, Hispanic children are over seven times more likely than white children to experience both food and water insecurity simultaneously.
While having access to safe and reliable water is important for water security, trust in tap water is also a significant factor for both children and their parents. The researchers noted that when parents do not trust the water, they are less likely to give it to their children.The majority-minority communities in Flint, Michigan and other places have faced water crises, leading to increased mistrust of tap water. This can be especially problematic for minoritized populations who already have poorer access to services, particularly those living in low-income areas. There is a fear that tap water could make their children sick.
Residents who had brown water coming from their faucets were assured that it was safe to consume.
“However, the smell, taste, and color of water can impact people’s trust in it,” he explained. “This lack of trust is reasonable and needs to be acknowledged.”
Comprehending water insecurity
Although the NHANES data included indicators of food insecurity, it did not directly assess water insecurity. In order to determine when children experienced water insecurity, the researchers identified a variable that served as a proxy for water insecurity - avoidance of tap water. Rosinger’s previous studies showed that avoiding tap water can be an indicator of potential water insecurity.dow into understanding water insecurity.
“Children in households at all income levels, with the exception of the very lowest, were more likely to experience food insecurity if they did not consume tap water,” Rosinger explained. “The impact was most significant for children in low income and lower-middle income households, but even in households earning incomes several times the national poverty level, children were still more likely to face food insecurity if they did not consume tap water.”
The research showed that children in households below the poverty line had a high probability of experiencing food insecurity, regardless of whether they drank tap water or not.
The reseArchers have indicated that global water insecurity is projected to rise in the future due to the impact of climate change, population growth, and aging infrastructure. While they acknowledge the value of tap water avoidance data, they emphasize the importance of directly measuring experiences of water insecurity.
“We cannot effectively address a problem that we cannot accurately assess,” stated Young. “The first step is to grasp the magnitude of the issue. Tap water avoidance can serve as a useful indicator of water insecurity, but it is evident that we need a more comprehensive understanding of who is facing hardships and the severity of those challenges.”
Looking aheadDespite the absence of a direct measure of water insecurity in the U.S., researchers believe that there are many current opportunities to address water and food security in the nation. They suggested expanding government programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which have been proven to reduce food insecurity.
“Currently, many people in the U.S. consider the presence of water infrastructure as a sign of water security,” Young explained. “However, piped water can be unaffordable, contaminated, dried up, or otherwise unavailable.”The researchers emphasized the importance of recognizing the millions of people in the U.S. who do not have access to piped water. They also highlighted the potential for policy changes to address the growing issue of water insecurity. Additionally, they pointed to studies that showed providing water filters to Hispanic families can increase trust in tap water, leading to greater tap water consumption and reduced reliance on bottled water. The researchers recommended implementing in-home water testing to ensure water safety. Despite the significant number of people without safe drinking water, they noted that 99% of U.S. households have access to water through a piped system in their homes.Rosinger stated that the majority of the water is clean and drinkable and emphasized that the U.S. has one of the best water distribution systems globally. She suggested rebuilding trust in the system by conducting testing to confirm water safety, replacing lead service lines, and providing filters in areas where water is not safe. These steps are crucial to ensure that children in the nation have access to clean water for their well-being and to alleviate additional financial and mental stress on their families due to uncertain water quality. The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and theThe Penn State Population Research Institute, with support from the Social Science Research Institute, was responsible for funding the study.
