Food insecurity refers to the limited or uncertain ability to acquire food in socially acceptable ways for all members of the household. Food insecurity can have detrimental effects for children including poor health, behavior, social, and mental health problems, and decreased academic performance. Several mechanisms have been suggested for how food insecurity may influence these outcomes, but little evidence exists to support a specific mechanism. The aim of our study was to gain better understanding of how children experience food insecurity at the personal level and determine if altered activities and shame may link food insecurity with its negative effects.