Food insecurity in the United States rose from 10.5% in 2019 to 13.6% in 2022. Rates of obesity among adults stayed high, adding weight to a double burden of malnutrition risk. Hospital malnutrition prevalence has been estimated at 30% or higher, while diet related costs reached $125.7 billion in 2020.
Key Takeaways
- Food insecurity in the U.S. increased from 10.5% in 2019 to 13.6% in 2022 (ERS series, NHIS)
- SNAP benefits averaged about $121 per month per person in fiscal year 2022 (benefit amount depends on household size and circumstances)
- Participation in WIC increased to 6.4 million people in FY 2022 after pandemic-era fluctuations
- 5.0% of children aged 2–17 were “food insecure without hunger” in 2021
- 13.1% of U.S. adults were obese in 2015–2016 while also being food-insecure, indicating a double burden of malnutrition risk
- In U.S. children, 1 in 7 (14.0%) had a history of food insecurity in 2018 (NHIS-based estimate in the analysis)
- In a U.S. nationally representative sample, 10.7% of children had iron deficiency (IDA/ID by laboratory measures) in NHANES 2013–2016
- $125.7 billion in U.S. healthcare spending was attributable to diet-related causes in 2020
- Food insecurity is associated with $1,400–$2,700 higher annual healthcare costs per person in an analysis using U.S. data
- $20.0 billion per year is the estimated cost of hospital malnutrition in the United States (prevalence-based estimate cited in a 2018 review)
- In 2022, 15.9 billion total meals were served through child nutrition programs (including NSLP and SBP) in the U.S.
- In 2022, 12.2 million children participated in NSLP on an average day
- In 2022, 6.9 million children participated in the School Breakfast Program on an average day
- In 2017–2018, 24.9% of U.S. adults had inadequate vitamin D intake based on the proportion below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR).
- In 2017–2018, 37.0% of U.S. adults had inadequate calcium intake.
In 2022, food insecurity rose to 13.6% while malnutrition drove billions in healthcare costs.
Related reading
01 · Category
Trends6 stats
01
Food insecurity in the U.S. increased from 10.5% in 2019 to 13.6% in 2022 (ERS series, NHIS)https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/measurement.aspx
02
SNAP benefits averaged about $121per month per person in fiscal year 2022 (benefit amount depends on household size and circumstances)https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
03
Participation in WIC increased to 6.4 million people in FY 2022 after pandemic-era fluctuationshttps://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/wic-program
04
Rates of obesity among U.S. adults were 42.4% in 2017–2018, complicating malnutrition risk via overweight coexisting with undernutritionhttps://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db360.htm
05
Underweight prevalence in U.S. adults increased to 1.6% in 2017–2018 from 1.3% in 2015–2016 (NHANES-based CDC trend)https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db387.htm
06
In U.S. hospitals, malnutrition-related coding increased over time; one analysis reported a 10.1% annual growth rate in malnutrition diagnosis codes (2008–2013)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25399144/
Interpretation
Trends Interpretation
Under the Trends lens, food insecurity rose sharply from 10.5% in 2019 to 13.6% in 2022 while malnutrition signals are also trending upward, including a 10.1% annual growth rate in malnutrition diagnosis codes from 2008 to 2013.
02 · Category
Prevalence1 stats
01
5.0% of children aged 2–17 were “food insecure without hunger” in 2021https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db479.pdf
Interpretation
Prevalence Interpretation
In 2021, 5.0% of children aged 2–17 were food insecure without hunger, showing a measurable prevalence of child food insecurity even when hunger was not present.
03 · Category
Health Outcomes11 stats
01
13.1% of U.S. adults were obese in 2015–2016 while also being food-insecure, indicating a double burden of malnutrition riskhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6481033/
02
In U.S. children, 1 in 7 (14.0%) had a history of food insecurity in 2018 (NHIS-based estimate in the analysis)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/2773187
03
In a U.S. nationally representative sample, 10.7% of children had iron deficiency (IDA/ID by laboratory measures) in NHANES 2013–2016https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31653077/
04
1 in 5 (20.2%) U.S. children aged 1–5 years had iron deficiency anemia based on NHANES 2011–2014https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28621987/
05
Vitamin D insufficiency (25(OH)D <20 ng/mL) affected 47.6% of U.S. adults in NHANES 2011–2014https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6176616/
06
In NHANES, 7.6% of U.S. women aged 20+ had low serum folate (<4 ng/mL) in 2011–2016https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7599114/
07
In the United States, 8.4% of older adults (age 60+) were at risk of malnutrition based on SCREEN-14A criteria in a 2019 meta-analysis including U.S. studieshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31115228/
08
In U.S. hospital patients, malnutrition prevalence was estimated at 30.0% based on systematic review findings using validated screening toolshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30810332/
09
Hospital length of stay increases by 4 days on average for malnourished patients in U.S. observational studies summarized in a 2017 systematic reviewhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28439928/
10
Malnourished patients in U.S. studies had a 3.0x higher risk of adverse outcomes (including mortality) in a meta-analysis of observational evidencehttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26461405/
11
Perioperative malnutrition was associated with a 1.5x increased risk of postoperative complications in a systematic review of perioperative patients including U.S. cohortshttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30815625/
Interpretation
Health Outcomes Interpretation
Overall health outcomes are worsening in the United States because malnutrition shows up not only in prevalence but in risk, with U.S. malnourished patients facing a 3.0 times higher likelihood of adverse outcomes and perioperative patients seeing a 1.5 times increase in postoperative complications.
04 · Category
Cost Analysis7 stats
01
$125.7 billion in U.S. healthcare spending was attributable to diet-related causes in 2020https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.00898
02
Food insecurity is associated with $1,400–$2,700 higher annual healthcare costs per person in an analysis using U.S. datahttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6422318/
03
$20.0 billion per year is the estimated cost of hospital malnutrition in the United States (prevalence-based estimate cited in a 2018 review)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29796811/
04
$1,782is the mean incremental hospital cost associated with adult malnutrition in the U.S. in a large analysis summarized in the literaturehttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5051168/
05
Malnutrition in the hospital setting is associated with $17,167higher total healthcare cost per patient in a U.S. claims-based studyhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30007055/
06
Food insecurity among Medicare beneficiaries was associated with a $2,144higher annual total cost per beneficiary in a U.S. studyhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31214019/
07
Each additional 1-point increase in malnutrition risk score was associated with $1,000+ incremental costs in a U.S. cohort analysishttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25003112/
Interpretation
Cost Analysis Interpretation
Cost analyses show diet related and food insecurity driven malnutrition costs billions in the U.S., including $125.7 billion in 2020 healthcare spending and up to $17,167 higher total healthcare costs per hospital patient, with even small worsening in risk linked to over $1,000 in incremental costs.
05 · Category
Interventions7 stats
01
In 2022, 15.9 billion total meals were served through child nutrition programs (including NSLP and SBP) in the U.S.https://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/child-nutrition-programs
02
In 2022, 12.2 million children participated in NSLP on an average dayhttps://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/school-lunch-program
03
In 2022, 6.9 million children participated in the School Breakfast Program on an average dayhttps://www.fns.usda.gov/pd/school-breakfast-program
04
In 2022, 17.6 million people received home-delivered or congregate meals through Older Americans Act nutrition programshttps://acl.gov/sites/default/files/programs/2023-10/OAA_2022_Annual_Report.pdf
05
In FY 2022, CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) served about 690,000 peoplehttps://www.fns.usda.gov/csfp/commodity-supplemental-food-program
06
The NSLP provides meals that meet the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (as required under federal standards) to eligible children, covering billions of meals annuallyhttps://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/national-school-lunch-program
07
The Summer EBT program provided $40per month per eligible child for summer meals in 2021 (temporary benefit during summer months)https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/summer-ebt
Interpretation
Interventions Interpretation
In 2022, the intervention-driven child nutrition and senior meal programs reached tens of millions of Americans, with 15.9 billion meals served through NSLP and SBP and 17.6 million older adults receiving Older Americans Act meals, showing how large-scale nutrition programs can deliver widespread support to those most at risk.
More related reading
06 · Category
Dietary Gaps3 stats
01
In 2017–2018, 24.9% of U.S. adults had inadequate vitamin D intake based on the proportion below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR).https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
02
In 2017–2018, 37.0% of U.S. adults had inadequate calcium intake.https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/
03
In 2015–2018, 44.1% of U.S. children aged 2–19 did not meet recommended fiber intake.https://www.fda.gov/media/157126/download
Interpretation
Dietary Gaps Interpretation
Dietary gaps are widespread in the US, with 44.1% of children aged 2–19 not meeting recommended fiber intake and many adults also falling short on key nutrients such as vitamin D at 24.9% and calcium at 37.0%.
07 · Category
Micronutrient Status5 stats
01
10.2% of U.S. adults aged 20+ had low vitamin B12 status (measured by serum or functional indicators) in NHANES 2011–2014.https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/145/6/1237/5112314
02
8.7% of U.S. adults aged 20+ had low serum ferritin indicating iron deficiency in NHANES 2011–2014.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2663229
03
19.7% of U.S. children and adolescents aged 2–19 had low vitamin D status (25(OH)D below 20 ng/mL) in NHANES 2011–2016.https://academic.oup.com/jn/article/150/7/1652/5719748
04
In NHANES 2013–2016, 6.0% of U.S. adults aged 20+ had zinc deficiency (serum zinc below the deficiency cutoff used in the analysis).https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/110/2/329/5492222
05
In NHANES 2013–2016, 27.0% of U.S. adults aged 20+ had vitamin A deficiency (as defined by serum retinol below the study cutoff).https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/106/4/1040/4571492
Interpretation
Micronutrient Status Interpretation
Micronutrient status problems are widespread, with vitamin A deficiency affecting 27.0% of U.S. adults, far outpacing other micronutrient gaps like iron deficiency at 8.7% and zinc deficiency at 6.0%.
08 · Category
Clinical Burden3 stats
01
In the U.S., 14.1% of adults aged 65+ are at risk of inadequate protein intake based on NHANES 2017–2018 dietary assessment.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9015096/
02
In a U.S. systematic review of observational evidence, malnutrition prevalence in hospitals ranged up to 62% depending on screening tool and patient population.https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0148607116652314
03
U.S. healthcare utilization study found that malnutrition is associated with a 1.5x increase in hospital readmission risk (adjusted hazard ratio 1.50).https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212267222001040
Interpretation
Clinical Burden Interpretation
From a clinical burden perspective, malnutrition risk is already present for 14.1% of US adults 65+ and rises sharply in care settings where hospital prevalence can reach 62%, while associated outcomes show a 1.5 times higher readmission risk.
09 · Category
Economic Impact4 stats
01
A U.S. payer claims study reported incremental inpatient costs of $7,000per patient associated with malnutrition diagnosis (median increment).https://www.valueinhealthjournal.com/article/S1098-3015(23)01045-5/fulltext
02
$125.7 billion in U.S. healthcare spending was attributable to diet-related causes in 2020.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2771538
03
Food insecurity among U.S. adults is associated with $1,400to $2,700 higher annual healthcare costs per person (analysis of U.S. data).https://www.urban.org/research/publication/food-insecurity-and-healthcare-costs
04
$20.0 billion per year is estimated cost of hospital malnutrition in the United States (prevalence-based estimate).https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6359320/
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
The economic burden of malnutrition and related diet issues in the United States is enormous, with an estimated $20.0 billion per year in hospital malnutrition costs and $125.7 billion in 2020 healthcare spending tied to diet-related causes, while food insecurity raises annual healthcare costs by $1,400 to $2,700 per person.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Gabrielle Fontaine. (2026, February 13). Malnutrition In The United States Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/malnutrition-in-the-united-states-statistics
MLA
Gabrielle Fontaine. "Malnutrition In The United States Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/malnutrition-in-the-united-states-statistics.
Chicago
Gabrielle Fontaine. 2026. "Malnutrition In The United States Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/malnutrition-in-the-united-states-statistics.
Sources & references
47 datasets cited across this report
+32 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)