FoodReview: Examining the Well-Being of Children, Vol. 24, No. 2

Rosanna Mentzer Morrison, Economics Editor

FoodReview No. (24-2) October 2001

About this magazine

The theme for this issue of FoodReview is ''America's Children.'' Articles in this issue discuss the well-being of America's children, children's diet quality, the problem of overweight children in America, foodborne disease among children, the economics of breastfeeding, and food assistance programs that help children and their families. A special article discusses U.S. consumption of tree nuts. Another special article looks at food availability and affordability in Washington, DC.

In this report ...

Articles are in Adobe Acrobat PDF format.

Contents, 42 kb

Upfront, 17 kb

Feature Articles

• A Look at America’s Children and Their Families--Trends in children’s well-being over the last 2-3 decades are mixed, with social changes such as later, more stable marriages and smaller family sizes having positive implications for children. However, high divorce rates and increased out-of-wedlock childbearing mean that more children today will live in a single-parent family at some point in their lives. Child poverty rates have declined significantly since the early 1960s, and the overall physical health of children has improved. Racial and ethnic diversity in the child population increased significantly in the last three decades. (59 kb)

• American Children’s Diets Not Making the Grade--Children are eating out more than ever, posing a growing challenge to the nutritional quality of their diets. Their diets typically contain too much fat, saturated fat, and sodium, and not enough fiber and calcium--characteristics more likely associated with away-from-home foods than home foods. Excessive intake of cholesterol and sodium is a problem facing many male teens, while insufficient intake of iron and calcium is a major dietary problem for teenage girls. (95 kb)

• Overweight Children: Is Parental Nutrition Knowledge a Factor?--The growing number of overweight children in the United States has sounded a public health alarm. Overweight children are much more likely to end up obese when they are adults and increase their risk of some chronic diseases. Parents with greater knowledge about and interest in nutrition are less likely to have overweight children. Parents’ weight status and their own perception of their weight status can also factor into the prevalence of overweight children. (86 kb)

• The Economic Benefits of Breastfeeding--A recent ERS study found that a minimum of $3.6 billion could be saved if the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding increased from current levels (64 percent at hospital discharge and 29 percent at 6 months) to those recommended by the U.S. Surgeon General (75 percent at hospital discharge and 50 percent at 6 months). This $3.6 billion is based on reduced incidences of only three childhood illnesses and reflects savings in terms of medical expenditures, wages lost by parents attending to an ill child, and the prevention of premature deaths. (62 kb)

• USDA Subsidizes Meals and Snacks for Children in Child Care--USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) subsidizes healthy meals and snacks for children receiving day care by reimbursing participating centers and child care homes for up to two meals and one snack per day served to eligible children. In 1996, CACFP implemented a two-tiered reimbursement structure under which child care homes in low income areas or run by a low-income provider receive higher reimbursement rates. In fiscal 1999, CACFP subsidized meals for an average of 2.6 million children per day through 38,000 child care centers and 175,000 child care homes. (101 kb)

• Children and Microbial Foodborne Illness--Because of their undeveloped immune systems, lower body weights, and limited control over food safety, children are at relatively high risks of foodborne illnesses and associated complications. ERS estimates that foodborne illnesses in children under 10 from Campylobacter, Salmonella, E. coli 0157:H7, E. coli non-0157:H7 STEC, and Listeria cost the United States $2.3 billion in medical costs, lost productivity, and premature deaths each year. Illnesses from Salmonella and Listeria are the most costly to society. (80 kb)

• Low-Income Families Participating in Fewer Assistance Programs--The Food Stamp Program, the National School Lunch Program, WIC, and TANF alleviate problems associated with poverty by providing in-kind transfers of food or by providing cash. From 1995 to 1999, the number of low-income families with children participating in at least one of these programs dropped 5 percent, while the number participating in multiple programs dropped 14 percent. The decline in multiple program participation for these households was primarily in food stamps and cash assistance. (78 kb)

• Using USDA’s Thrifty Food Plan To Assess Food Availability and Affordability--ERS surveyed 34 large food retailers in Washington, DC, authorized to accept food stamps to assess food security in the local area. Food availability was assessed by determining how many items on a Thrifty Food Plan shopping list were found in surveyed stores. Food affordability was assessed by calculating the total cost of all items on the TFP list in each store. For the stores surveyed, the cost of TFP shopping list items averaged $3.19 less than the estimated nationwide TFP cost of $101.70 per week in August 2000. (234 kb)

• U.S. Consumption Patterns of Tree Nuts--About 1 in 10 consumers eat tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, cashews, and others) on any given day. The average consumption is just over 1 gram per person per day. Tree nut consumption is higher among wealthier consumers, Whites, and adults age 40 and above. About 60 percent of all tree nuts consumed are consumed in nut-containing foods, such as breakfast cereals, desserts and baked goods, and candy. The most popular way for children to eat tree nuts is in desserts and baked goods. (102 kb)

Entire report, 729 kb

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Updated date: October 2001