Food Insecurity and Children's Rights to Adequate Nutrition in Europe

dvocating for European children’s rights to health and well-being has characterized the wide spectrum of efforts of the European Pediatric Association-Union of National European Pediatric Societies and Associations (EPA/ UNEPSA) since its founding in 1976. These activities aim to intensify the learning processes of child health care service systems across European borders. Food security has been defined as a situation in which all community residents can obtain a safe, culturally acceptable, nutritionally adequate diet through a sustainable food system that maximizes selfreliance and social justice.1 Food insecurity, which refers to a lack of food access based on financial and other resources, is a never-ending issue impacting especially the health of young individuals and their development. Inadequate nutrition negatively influences children’s well-being by hampering the accomplishment of their complete physical, mental, and social comfort. The aim of this commentary is to raise pediatricians’ awareness on the emerging issue of children’s food insecurity and its risks in Europe.