Economic Downturn Sees Increase in Malnourished Children

C-SNAP founder, Dr. Deborah A. Frank, recently spoke before the U. S. House of Representatives Committee on the Budget about child hunger and the importance of investing in children.  Her testimony came at a very important time as the House and Senate sought agreement on a stimulus package.

Some of the data she presented included charts and statistics demonstrating that food insecurity among families with very young children has increased by 38 percent in the first half of 2008, compared to the same period in 2007. While these findings require further analysis, they are not hard to explain in light of the economic downturn. She also made a comparative analysis on the real cost of a healthy diet and that tight budgets limit food choices; cheap calories often promote obesity.

In March, C-SNAP will be renamed Children’s HealthWatch, at least in part to avoid confusion with the recently renamed Food Stamp Program, which is now SNAP.