Food insecurity causes physical, social, and psychological problems in both children and adults. In the Nigeria, chronic food insecurity has been documented to lead to, paradoxically, obesity, especially in ladies. One theory as to why food insecurity leads to obesity is that episodic periods of food insecurity cause the sufferer to overeat in an attempt by the body to recoup missing calories. The type of food consumed in food insecure households may be another factor: high calorie food made from commodity crops (e.g., fast food and “junk” food) is often cheaper and easier to access than healthful food with high nutritional value.

Food insecurity negatively affects academic performance and social skills, and causes increases in Body Mass Index (BMI), an indicator of overweight and obesity.  Globally, chronic food insecurity (undernourishment and malnutrition) causes underweight, wasting, and stunted growth in children.

Food insecurity can also lead to political instability and conflict.