Latino Households' Food Insecurity Rates Found to Be Higher Than National Average [Report]

A recent report discovered that Latino households have food insecurity rates which are higher than the national average.

The research conducted by the United States Department of Agriculture also highlighted on the "limited access to adequate food" among Hispanic households, according to NBC News.

It also noted that the report gives a detailed preview on the hunger situations in the United States.

"It found that the rates of food insecurity for Hispanics were substantially higher than the national average," NBC News added.

Last year, the study found that only 22.4 percent of "Hispanic-headed" households were tagged as "food insure."

Meanwhile, those "food-insecure" households were described to have "had difficulty at some time during the year providing enough food for all their members due to a lack of resources."

NBC News added that food insecurity was observed especially on households which have incomes below the poverty line, those headed by single parents and also those led African Americans.

"Households without children classified as having very low food security reported six or more food-insecure conditions and households with children reported eight or more food-insecure conditions, including conditions among both adults and children," the report specifically stated.

It also added that the "very low food security" state of the family characterized the time when members had reduced food intake and disrupted normal eating patterns.

Despite these results, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack maintained an optimistic outlook noting that these statistics"reflect a recovering and growing economy."

"Food security for households with children, and households overall is the strongest it's been since before the Recession. Two million fewer people live in a state of food insecurity today compared to 2011," Vilsack added in the NBC News report.

The agriculture secretary also said that these can be well addressed with "anti-poverty and nutrition programs" and "efforts to improve employment and training programs," which the government is already doing.

The report also claimed that families who have limited resources usually find ways for them to be able to meet their needs.

"Some participate in one or more of the Federal food and nutrition assistance programs or obtain food from emergency food providers in their communities to supplement the food they purchase," added the report.

These programs, according to the report, help families obtain the food they need.

An earlier similar study quoted by NCBI also revealed that "greater food insecurity in Latino households is associated with a lower variety of most foods, particularly fruits and vegetables."

The research further suggested that other studies should also be explored on the effects of seasonal food and food shortage on the food insecurity of Lations.