May 25, 2023
About 4% of people in B.C. experience severe food insecurity, which means missing meals, reducing intake or not eating for a day or more at a time. Almost 15% of people struggle to put food on the table and, as a result, babies, children and youth may experience an increased risk of anemia, lower nutrient intake, asthma and hospitalization. Studies also show adults living in food insecure households report higher rates of chronic disease including diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. It can also lead to symptoms of anxiety, sleep disturbance, social isolation and depression. Healthcare costs were found to be up to 76% higher for food insecure adults compared to those with sufficient access to healthy food.