Food Insecurity Among Adolescents and Emerging Adults

2020 ◽  
pp. 269-285
Author(s):  
Meg Bruening ◽  
Alexandra Brewis ◽  
Amber Wutich
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Emerging Adults

scholarly journals Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, Home Food Availability, and Health Risk Behaviors Among Emerging Adults: Findings From the EAT 2010–2018 Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (9) ◽  
pp. 1422-1428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Larson ◽  
Melissa N. Laska ◽  
Dianne Neumark-Sztainer
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Food Availability ◽  
Diet Quality ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Health Risk Behaviors ◽  
Food Literacy ◽  
Home Food ◽  
Home Food Availability

Objectives. To examine emerging adults’ experiences of food insecurity in relation to measures of diet quality, food literacy, home food availability, and health behaviors. Methods. We used EAT 2010–2018 (Eating and Activity over Time) study data on 1568 participants who completed surveys as adolescents in 2009 to 2010 and follow-up surveys in 2017 to 2018 (mean age = 22.0 ±2.0 years; 58% female). At baseline, participants were recruited from 20 urban schools in Minneapolis–St Paul, Minnesota. Food insecurity was defined by emerging adult report of both eating less than they thought they should and not eating when hungry because of lack of money. Results. The prevalence at follow up of experiencing food insecurity in the past year was 23.3% among emerging adults. Food insecurity was associated with poorer diet quality (e.g., less vegetables and whole grains, more sugar-sweetened drinks and added sugars), lower home availability of healthy foods, skipping breakfast, frequently eating at fast-food restaurants, binge eating, binge drinking, and substance use (all P < .01). Conclusions. Assistance programs and policies are needed to address food insecurity among emerging adults and should be coordinated with other services to protect health.

The Relationship Between Food Security, Housing Stability, and School Performance Among College Students in an Urban University

2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 284-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meghan R. Silva ◽  
Whitney L. Kleinert ◽  
A. Victoria Sheppard ◽  
Kathryn A. Cantrell ◽  
Darren J. Freeman-Coppadge ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Academic Success ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
College Campuses ◽  
Housing Instability ◽  
Personnel Administrators ◽  
Housing Stability ◽  
Urban University ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The University

Although younger populations, such as emerging adults, have been shown to be particularly susceptible to food insecurity and housing instability, the current research is predominantly devoid of literature examining these experiences on college campuses. The present study explores the food and housing vulnerabilities that may be barriers to academic success for students who attend an urban university. The results of a survey of students ( n = 390) indicated that nearly a quarter of the students had experienced some level of food insecurity. Furthermore, students reported disproportionately high rates of housing instability, which negatively affected their class attendance and performance as well as their ability to continue at the university. Implications of these findings pertaining to students, college personnel, administrators, and other stakeholders are discussed.

scholarly journals Emerging adults’ intersecting experiences of food insecurity, unsafe neighbourhoods and discrimination during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Nicole Larson ◽  
Jaime Slaughter-Acey ◽  
Tricia Alexander ◽  
Jerica Berge ◽  
Lisa Harnack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Eating Behaviours ◽  
The Past ◽  
Restaurant Meals ◽  
At Home

Abstract Objective: To examine how food insecurity is related to emerging adults’ food behaviours and experiences of neighbourhood safety and discrimination and to identify resources needed to support their health during the COVID-19 outbreak. Design: Rapid response online survey. Participants completed the six-item US Household Food Security Survey Module, a brief measure of food insufficiency, and measures of food behaviours, neighbourhood safety and discrimination. Open-ended questions were used to assess changes in eating behaviours during COVID-19 and needed resources. Setting: C-EAT (COVID-19 Eating and Activity over Time) study invitations were sent by email and text message to a longitudinal cohort. Participants: A total of 218 emerging adults (mean age = 24·6 (sd 2·0) years, 70·2 % female) completed a survey in April–May 2020 during a stay-at-home order in Minnesota. Results: The past year prevalence of food insecurity was 28·4 %. Among food-insecure respondents, 41·0 % reported both eating less and experiencing hunger due to lack of money in the past month. Food-insecure respondents were less likely than those who were food secure to have fruits/vegetables at home and more likely to have frequent fast-food restaurant meals, feel unsafe in their neighbourhood and experience discrimination during the stay-at-home order. Food-insecure adults reported changes including eating more food prepared at home, eating more take-out restaurant meals and purchasing more energy-dense snacks as a result of events related to COVID-19. Resources most needed to support their health included eligibility for more food assistance and relief funds. Conclusions: Food-insecure emerging adults experience many barriers to maintaining healthful eating patterns during COVID-19.

scholarly journals ‘Hello, you’re not supposed to be here’: homeless emerging adults’ experiences negotiating food access

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (10) ◽  
pp. 1943-1951 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A Bowen ◽  
Andrew Irish
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Food Access ◽  
Homeless Youth ◽  
Quantitative Measure ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to examine the food-seeking experiences of homeless emerging adults (age 18–24 years) in a US urban context.DesignThe study used a qualitative descriptive design, combining semi-structured interviews with a standardized quantitative measure of food insecurity. Interview data were coded using constant comparative methods to identify patterns across and within interviews. Emerging themes were confirmed and refined through member checking.SettingBuffalo, a mid-sized city in the Northeastern USA.SubjectsA sample of thirty participants was recruited through community-based methods. Eligibility criteria specified that participants were aged 18–24 years and did not have a stable place to live. The sample was demographically diverse and included participants who were couch-surfing, staying on the streets and/or using shelters.ResultsParticipants’ food access strategies varied across their living circumstances. Common strategies included purchasing food with cash or benefits (reported by 77 %), using free meal programmes (70 %) and eating at friends’ or relatives’ homes (47 %). Although 70 % of participants received Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, several reported access barriers, including initial denials of eligibility due to being listed on a parent’s application even when the participant no longer resided in the household. Participants described a stigma associated with using food pantries and free meal programmes and expressed preference for less institutionalized programmes such as Food Not Bombs.ConclusionsGiven endemic levels of food insecurity among homeless youth and young adults, policy modifications and service interventions are needed to improve food access for this population.

A Longitudinal Study of Mental Health in Emerging Adults

2014 ◽  
Vol 73 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica S. Bachmann ◽  
Hansjörg Znoj ◽  
Katja Haemmerli
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Need Satisfaction ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Consistency Model ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Health Model

Emerging adulthood is a time of instability. This longitudinal study investigated the relationship between mental health and need satisfaction among emerging adults over a period of five years and focused on gender-specific differences. Two possible causal models were examined: (1) the mental health model, which predicts that incongruence is due to the presence of impaired mental health at an earlier point in time; (2) the consistency model, which predicts that impaired mental health is due to a higher level of incongruence reported at an earlier point in time. Emerging adults (N = 1,017) aged 18–24 completed computer-assisted telephone interviews in 2003 (T1), 2005 (T2), and 2008 (T3). The results indicate that better mental health at T1 predicts a lower level of incongruence two years later (T2), when prior level of incongruence is controlled for. The same cross-lagged effect is shown for T3. However, the cross-lagged paths from incongruence to mental health are marginally associated when prior mental health is controlled for. No gender differences were found in the cross-lagged model. The results support the mental health model and show that incongruence does not have a long-lasting negative effect on mental health. The results highlight the importance of identifying emerging adults with poor mental health early to provide support regarding need satisfaction.

Contribution of Demographics, Sociological Factors, and Media Usage to Verbal Aggressiveness

2014 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack Glascock
Keyword(s):  
Emerging Adults ◽  
Peer Influence ◽  
Video Game ◽  
Rap Music ◽  
Verbal Aggression ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Music Listening ◽  
Verbal Aggressiveness ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Sociological Factors

Given the increasing relevance of verbal aggression in today’s society, the goal of this study was to assess the relative contributions of potential demographic and sociological factors. Emerging adults were surveyed, and the data were analyzed using correlations and hierarchical regression. While television viewing, video game playing, and music listening were positively correlated with verbal aggression, only (rap) music listening remained significant when demographic and other sociological influences were factored in. Overall, the hierarchical regression analysis found religiosity, parental and peer influence, quality of neighborhood, sex, and media usage (listening to rap music) to be significant contributors to verbal aggression among emerging adults. Male participants reported more verbally aggressive behavior than women, and African Americans reported more verbal aggression than White respondents. While media usage seems to play a significant, but relatively small role, other demographic and sociological factors such as gender, neighborhood, religion, peers, and parents appear to be major contributors in the development of verbal aggression among emerging adults.

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