Food Insecurity Rate by County, Children Age 0 to 17 Years, New Mexico, 2023

Why Is This Important?

Inconsistent access to adequate amounts of nutritious food can have a negative impact on the health of individuals of all ages and it can be particularly devastating among children. Children are more vulnerable to potential long-term consequences for their future physical and mental health success. The USDA estimates that in 2023 over 100,000 children were food insecure. Nearly 1 in 4 New Mexico children (23.3%) lived in households without consistent access to adequate food. Child hunger affects every county and legislative district in the state, with rates reaching one-third in some areas

Definition

Food insecurity refers to USDA's measure of lack of access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members and limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate foods. Food insecure households are not necessarily food insecure all the time. Food insecurity may reflect a household's need to make trade-offs between important basic needs, such as housing or medical bills, and purchasing nutritionally adequate foods.

How the Measure is Calculated

Health Topic Pages Related to: Food Insecurity among Children

• Economic Stability
• Neighborhood and Built Environment
• Nutrition
• Weight Status