ALBUQUERQUE (AP)--Nearly 16 percent of all New Mexicans worry about whether they will have enough money for food, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report.

And nearly 5 percent of all New Mexicans skip meals and go hungry, according to the 2004 report released this October.

Nationally, New Mexico ranks second in food insecurity and fourth in hunger, joining six other states that have food insecurity and hunger rates higher than the national average, the report said.

The report said 38 million Americans struggle with hunger and getting enough food each day.

Mississippi tied with New Mexico for the rate of food insecurity at 15.8 percent. Texas topped the list at 16.4 percent.

Oklahoma (5.6 percent), South Carolina (5.5 percent) and Arkansas (5.3 percent) ranked above New Mexico in hunger rates. North Carolina and Texas tied with New Mexico (4.9 percent).

The USDA report shows New Mexico isn't improving in hunger and food insecurity rates--which came as a surprise to the state Human Services Department.

The Food Research and Action Center's State of States 2005 report, released earlier this year, showed the state's food insecurity rate improved from first to fifth in the nation and from third to 13th in hunger, state officials said.

"I really do believe we're certainly making an effort to cut that rate down," said Betina Gonzales McCracken, Human Services Department spokeswoman.

State officials said the food stamp program is the top defense against hunger and food insecurity in the state.

In fiscal year 2005, 93,203 families used food stamps. Last year marked the first time the number of families surpassed 90,000.

The federally funded program is designed for low-income working families and helps more than 240,000 people statewide.

Gonzales McCracken said many families who qualify do not take advantage of the program. Sometimes people have the misconception that food stamps are for families who are not employed, she said.

"We are slowly but surely trying to reach those families," she said.