In 1840, potatoes were a staple food for people living across the seas in Ireland. Potatoes were essentially the only food the poor rural population ate at all their meals. However, the potato was also a staple in the diet of middle- and upper-class citizens, even if the latter could afford more expensive foods. In 1845, the Irish population expected a good potato harvest. However, when farmers dug up that year's expected harvest, they found themselves confronted with a black, liquid mess. This resulted in a 50% loss of potatoes and each family had to fend for themselves and harvest the amount of potatoes they needed. Potato crops deteriorated increasingly from 1845 to 1847. Three years of poor potato harvests devastated the Irish country in more ways than one. What we now call the Irish Potato Famine caused many health and economic problems for Irish citizens. Between 1846 and 1850, the Irish population declined dramatically by two million people. Of these two million people, around one million died of hunger and famine-related diseases. The other millions emigrated to other parts of the world, hoping to provide a better life for their families. Although extreme, this famine is one of the most famous examples of food insecurity in the world. After events like this, it is clear that all countries, including the United States, should take food safety very seriously. As defined by the World Health Organization, food security is defined as “when all people have access to sufficient and safe food at all times.” , nutritious foods to maintain a healthy and active life. This concept of food security also includes both physical and economic access to food that satisfies dietary needs and...... middle of paper ...... tritions as a young child can affect the how the brain develops and responds to situations. Malnutrition can cause structural deficiencies in the brain that can hinder a child's ability to learn. This can lead to problems with cognitive development and also social development. Another developmental problem that can occur due to malnutrition is mental retardation. Continued malnutrition can limit brain growth and ultimately lead to abnormal levels of cognitive and mental functioning. Mental retardation can lead to slowed motor skills and difficulty mastering daily tasks, creating a multitude of problems in a young child's life. When a malnourished child becomes an adult, he or she is more likely to develop cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease. After discussing these conditions, it is clear that food insecurity can cause many problems in the lives of children and adults..