Food insecure individuals and families lack sufficient or certain access to nutritionally adequate food to live an active, healthy life. Food insecurity is most often caused by poverty, unemployment, or low income and is often found alongside a lack of affordable housing, chronic health conditions or lack of access to healthcare, and discrimination. This can cause serious health issues when people have to choose between spending money on food and other necessities like rent and medicine.

Even when food insecurity prompts choosing calorie-dense, highly marketed foods over more costly fresh and healthier foods, there are health consequences that can develop over a lifetime.

Food insecurity is associated with a wide range of nutrition-related health issues, including higher risks of birth defects, anemia, lower nutrient intakes, cognitive problems, asthma, and poor oral health. At the same time, the stress of food insecurity and its associated tradeoffs of limited resources for other necessities can lead to an increase in mental health issues.

For some groups, food insecurity can limit attainment and progress in other key areas. Children who do not have adequate food struggle to concentrate in school and are at greater risk for delayed development of language and motor skills. Food insecure seniors are at risk for lower nutrient intakes, poorer reported health, higher rates of depression, and more limitations in the activity of daily living.

Seniors who lack access to healthy foods are more likely to suffer from depression and chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, and gum disease. In Colorado, people with lower incomes, young adults in rural areas, Black individuals, and Hispanic/Latino(a) individuals all experience higher levels of food insecurity.