New study lays foundation for link between prenatal nutrition and healthier moms and babies

A critical issue that affects millions of people in our country is food insecurity. About 9% of White households suffer from it compared to 22% of Black households.Food insecurity happens when a person doesn’t have regular access to enough nutritious food to meet daily needs, including lean protein, whole grains, fresh fruits and veggies, and healthy fats. The condition can be especially hard on the health of pregnant people and their babies.When people don’t have money, resources, or reliable places to get nourishing food, they suffer from poor nutrition, which contributes to heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and even obesity (from eating food high in saturated fat and refined sugar).Food insecurity also impacts people’s mental health. Struggling to find and afford nutritious food can increase stress and depression and make existing mental health conditions worse. Over time, the strain of food insecurity can lead to a complicated and downward cycle of mental health challenges. The marked difference between Black and White food insecurity is caused by economic disparities, systemic racism, and historical inequities, especially redlining. It’s resulted in a new term for food insecurity in marginalized communities: Food apartheid. When someone is pregnant, the lack of...