It is easy to take for granted that most people can easily fill their stomachs, but some do not have it so easy. For many Grand Valley State University students, difficulties come from unhealthy eating choices, while others have trouble getting enough to eat at all.

To help combat this, the Women’s Center at GVSU teamed up with Access of West Michigan, Spectrum Health and other organizations for Hunger Action Week. This campaign aims to raise awareness on hunger and other food-related issues including poverty, obesity and health.

This year, GVSU participated by presenting part of a documentary, as well as hosting a panel discussion. The film shown was part of the HBO documentary “The Weight of the Nation.” This documentary covers obesity and how it affects the health and lives of Americans. The panel featured Brittany Dernberger, the assistant director at the Women’s Center at GVSU, Emma Garcia from Access of West Michigan and Amy VanFossen, a nutritionist at Spectrum Health.

“We want people to really be thinking about the dynamics of hunger and poverty,” Dernberger said.

According to Dernberger, there are many misconceptions about hunger, including the belief that people who make it to college can afford food, but this is not always the case.

“We know it’s really tough to pay attention in class if you worry about being able to eat dinner that night,” Dernberger said.

Another misconception Hunger Action Week hopes to educate people on is the relationship between income and obesity. Dernberger said people who only have access to certain foods need to be aware of the health aspects of those foods. The documentary explained how cheap junk foods can be a cause of obesity, with the panel offering their reflections on how to combat this.

“People who can’t afford healthier choices often end up eating foods that have a lot of health impacts,” Dernberger said.

These can include higher weight gain, heart disease, diabetes and other intangibles that affect how one feels. She also said improper eating habits can lead to long term health problems. She said one goal of the panel, as well as Hunger Action Week, is to inform people on these issues to work toward solutions.

“How can we work toward food justice where everyone has access to good, healthy food? People want to get the most for their money, so how do we make those healthier options,” Dernberger said.

According to Natalie Depyper, the food justice intern at the Women’s Center, nutrition can be an issue on campus for students who are in too big of a hurry to eat properly. It can also be an issue for those who cannot afford healthier choices but are too embarrassed to seek assistance or are unaware that it exists.

“A lot of times, people look at it as a third world or inner city problem,” Depyper said. “But food security can be a problem for anyone.” \

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