CRUX ESSAY CONTEST WINNER 2019 - 2020
and malnutrition ; moreover , it affects the overall well - being
SNAP ( Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ) is the
of the individual . Those who are the most vulnerable are the
largest antihunger program implemented by the U . S .
children and the elderly . One in six children exhibit
Government , and has helped families access food for many
problems with behaviors , delays in their development , and
years . In 2017 , it helped 3 . 4 million Americans to overcome
an increased risk of developing chronic illnesses ( Ward ).
poverty , providing them with healthy food . This program is
David Beckmann , the President of Bread for the World , says
crucial in helping to improve the health of many
“ the U . S . has the worst infant mortality rate among
Americans . Although this program is protected from
developed countries ” ( Banks ).
being completely eradicated by the Farm Bill , there are
This is an outrage that any child in America should perish
lobbyists and congressional representatives who oppose
from malnutrition . In adults , malnutrition can result in heart
“…THERE SHOULD BE AS MUCH ATTENTION GIVEN TO THE ECONOMIC AND HUMAN COSTS OF FOOD INSECURITY AS TO A COMPARABLE BREAKOUT IN INFECTIOUS DISEASE.”
disease , hypertension , stroke , and developmental and
behavioral health issues (" Food Waste …"). In many cases ,
those facing hunger resort to eating inexpensive and
unhealthy foods . Oftentimes , this results in obesity and
malnutrition . They fill up on empty calories and do not
consume the necessary nutrients required to lead healthy
lives . This also makes it difficult to function in society and do
basic things like going to work or going to school . According
to a Christian advocacy group , “ Hunger and food insecurity
are so widespread in the United States that they add $ 160
billion to national health care spending ” ( Banks ). These
unnecessary costs could be eliminated through investing in
effective programs to combat malnutrition .
– SARAH JANE SCHWARZENBERG
Although there are current programs helping those in
need , the problem is far from being resolved or eradicated .
Existing programs such as WIC , SNAP , and public school
breakfast programs have been beneficial in helping
this epidemic . There are also free lunch programs in schools
that have helped to increase attendance , concentration , and
focus in students and reduce tardiness and visits to the
nurse ’ s office ( Galvin ). Nevertheless , the cuts in the Food
Assistance Program , the Food and Nutrition Education
Program , the Temporary Emergency Food Assistance
Program , and many other programs , along with the high
cost of food , have become an obstacle for families to access
nutritious food (" Hunger and Malnutrition in the U . S ."). Not
only is there a need to reinstate certain programs , but there
is also a need to develop new government policies to
advocate for federal nutrition programs . The program
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