Food Insecurity Within Broome County And Its Effect on Academic Performance in Children

Food insecurity is a growing concern among children within the US, as the number of households who are food insecure has grown in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food insecurity in children can lead to a multitude of cognitive complications. My research investigates the relationship between food insecurity and academic performance in elementary schools in Broome County. To uncover how food insecurity and academic performance are linked, interviews were conducted with school staff (teachers, administrators, a food service manager), the socioeconomic status of the area was analyzed, standardized testing scores were compiled, and the food offerings in the area were explored. The results indicate that an area with higher food insecurity and higher poverty could result in lower academic performance, as observed through test scores and observations of school staff. The results could also highlight that an area with lower food insecurity results in higher academic performance. This demonstrates the need to provide supplementary food for children in schools to maximize their ability to succeed academically.https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2021/1004/thumbnail.jp