Not having enough food can have a profound impact on a child's physical, mental, and social development, academic achievement, and future prosperity.

Childhood hunger has significant implications on a child's mental and social well-being:

• Children who are hungry are more likely to be hyperactive, irritable, aggressive, and engage in bullying and fighting.
• They may also experience feelings of shame and embarrassment and are more likely to be withdrawn, anxious, and depressed than their food secure peers.
• Kids who are struggling with hunger also have higher rates of truancy and tardiness.

Children who live in homes where food insecurities are a reality face a number of health concerns:

• They are more likely to require hospitalization and at a higher risk for oral health problems and chronic health conditions such as asthma and allergies.
• They have a higher rate of delayed physical development, which can hold them back from engaging in physical activities with their peers.
• Children who are food insecure are also at a greater risk for obesity. When struggling to make ends meet families often turn to high calorie, low nutrient foods, which tend to be less expensive than healthier options. 

Future implications of childhood food insecurity:

• All of the risk factors involved in childhood hunger create an environment marked by low academic performance and social and mental health struggles. How can we expect kids to grow into successful and prosperous adults when they are worrying about when, and if they will have a next meal? How can we expect students to sit and focus on a test while their bellies are growling with hunger?