Almost half of 16 to 25-year-olds have gone to bed hungry in the past year, according to research laying bare the “devastating” impact of food insecurity on young people.
A lack of food is having a long-term impact on young people’s health and future prospects as they bear the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis, the youth homelessness charity Centrepoint warned. The charity commissioned Opinium to poll 2,000 16 to 25-year-olds over the UK between March and April.
It found 49% of respondents had gone to bed hungry in the past 12 months, while 54% have struggled to buy food. Almost a quarter (23%) had been forced to miss work or education due to a lack of food. Some 31% said bills were the main reason for them skipping meals, followed closely by the cost of rent (30%), and feeding their children (29%). Almost half (45%) of the young people polled said their income is not enough to get by on.
