No surprise the two states that suffer from hunger the most are also the lowest in annual income and obesity, How so?! Hit the jump to find out!
Mississippi and Arkansas have been labeled the two states where people go hungry the most, “Missouri and Tennessee were third and second worst in the country by this measure”.
“In Mississippi and Arkansas, the two worst states for food security, median income was less than $40,000. Of the 10 states with the lowest food security, eight had the highest poverty rates in the country” Reports HuffPost
The two also have been dubbed the 2nd and 3rd states with the highest obesity rate amongst residence in the U.S. I know some may be wondering how a state can suffer from hunger and obesity at the same time, but that is where income and poverty levels become a factor. Mississippi and Arkansas are amongst the poorest states within the U.S., causing for low income residents to shop according to their budget not towards the healthiest and in most cases the priciest food products.
“Ross Fraser, spokesperson for hunger-relief charity Feeding America, explained that having low food security does not necessarily mean families are starving. While people may feel full after eating, nutritious food is expensive. “Often, people have to make unfortunate choices about what they put in their stomachs.” Fraser added
“The lack of healthy food among families in these states,” explained Fraser, “is one of the reasons you have very poor people who are obese. It is because they’re not able to afford nutritious and high protein food.”
“According to the report, between 2010 and 2012, an average of 20% of Mississippi households had low or very low food security. In that period, an average of one in 12 Arkansas households had at least one family member skip a meal or eat less because of a lack of money. These are the states where the most people go hungry”
By the way September is Hunger Action Month, so.. TAKE ACTION!
**Below are links to Food Pantries and Organic Farms within these regions, volunteer and donate, if we don’t help one another who will?!**
