Tenth International Conference on Food Studies

Abstract

In 2018, approximately 38% of food-insecure households had children over the age of 6y. In addition, rural counties make up more than half of the counties facing food insecurity in the U.S. Yet, most food insecurity research, initiatives, and interventions have historically focused on urban areas and households with young children, and teens have been left out. This research aimed to fill these gaps. We used a mixed-methods and community-engaged approach to improve our understanding and raise awareness of teen food insecurity in rural communities of southern Indiana. Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, we evaluated the prevalence of food insecurity as well as teens’ ways of navigating this issue. We plan to incorporate teens’ ideas for solutions within community workshops aimed at improving or designing new food security programs that meet the unique experiences and needs of rural teens. We argue that mitigating teen food insecurity should be a critical public health concern. Teens’ nutritional demands are increased during puberty, which can place an increased burden on their households. In addition, teens are vulnerable to social stigma and pressures, leading them to resist asking for or accepting help. Food insecurity during this critical period of development may lead to long-standing consequences such as dampened cognitive development, poor educational performance, mental health issues such as depression, type-2 diabetes, and overweight and obesity which are also connected with adult chronic disease risk.