LESSON 3.7

Children’s Health in the U.S. – Part 1

Economic Circumstances

In 2013:

  • 74% of children had at least one parent working full-time year round (up from 73% in 2012)
    • However, this reflects that 1 in 4 children do not have at least one parent working full-time year round
  • 22% of children ages 0-17 years (14.7 million or 1 in 5 children) lived in poverty (first time a decline was observed since 2000)
  • 21% of children (15.8 million – or 1 in 5 children) lived in households classified as food insecure.
    • Food insecurity: Repeated instances of problems with food access, quantity and quality leading to disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake (USDA, 2006).

Source: FIFCFS, 2015

Children rely on their parents/guardians for economic support in order to have the essentials necessary to maintain their well-being. Currently, 1 in 4 children live in a family where neither parent is working full-time all year; and 1 in 5 live in poverty and have problems with accessing adequate food amounts and quality. Limited access to quality food in adequate amounts results in overall reduced nutrient intake required for optimal growth and development.