The association between food insecurity, diet quality, and untreated caries among US children

Abstract Objective: To determine whether food security, diet diversity and diet quality are associated with anthropometric measurements and body composition among women of reproductive age. The association between food security and anaemia prevalence was also tested. Design: Secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the Healthy Life Trajectories Initiative (HeLTI) study. Food security and dietary data were collected by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Hb levels were measured using a HemoCue, and anaemia was classified as an altitude-adjusted haemoglobin level < 12·5 g/dl. Body size and composition were assessed using anthropometry and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Setting: The urban township of Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa. Participants: Non-pregnant women aged 18–25 years (n 1534). Results: Almost half of the women were overweight or obese (44 %), and 9 % were underweight. Almost a third of women were anaemic (30 %). The prevalence rates of anaemia and food insecurity were similar across BMI categories. Food insecure women had the least diverse diets, and food security was negatively associated with diet quality (food security category v. diet quality score: B = –0·35, 95 % CI –0·70, –0·01, P = 0·049). Significant univariate associations were observed between food security and total lean mass. However, there were no associations between food security and body size or composition variables in multivariate models. Conclusions: Our data indicate that food security is an important determinant of diet quality in this urban-poor, highly transitioned setting. Interventions to improve maternal and child nutrition should recognise both food security and the food environment as critical elements within their developmental phases.

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Pilot testing an intervention to educate and promote nutritious choices at food pantries

Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1007/s10389-021-01570-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah L. McKee ◽

Eminet Abebe Gurganus ◽

Abiodun T. Atoloye ◽

Ran Xu ◽

Katie Martin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Food System ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Comparison Study ◽

Regression Analyses ◽

Food Pantry ◽

Food Pantries ◽

Client Choice ◽

The Impact

Abstract Aim This study aimed to assess the impact of the Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) system on client food selections at a food pantry. Subject and methods In a pre–post comparison study design, a client-choice food pantry implemented SWAP by reorganizing its inventory to promote healthy options. Each product was ranked as “choose often” (green), “sometimes” (yellow), or “rarely” (red) based on saturated fat, sodium, and sugar. Signage was added to indicate each item’s SWAP rank and healthier foods were placed at eye level. Client food baskets were assessed at time 1 (n = 121) and time 2 (n = 101). The proportions of green and red foods selected were compared using regression analyses. Results The regression analyses showed that the proportion of green foods selected by clients increased by 11% (p < 0.001) and the proportion of red foods selected decreased by 7% (p < 0.001) after SWAP was implemented (n = 222). Conclusions SWAP has the potential to positively shift client choices among the items available in a food pantry setting. SWAP is one component of a suite of changes to the charitable food system that have the potential to alleviate food insecurity, improve diet quality, and assist clients in managing diet-related diseases.

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Food Insecurity and Associated Factors in Brazilian Undergraduates during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu14020358 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 358

Author(s):

Bruna Leal Lima Maciel ◽

Clélia de Oliveira Lyra ◽

Jéssica Raissa Carlos Gomes ◽

Priscilla Moura Rolim ◽

Bartira Mendes Gorgulho ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Skin Color ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Mental Distress ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Black Skin ◽

Logistic Regressions ◽

Socio Economic Variables

Undergraduates may face challenges to assure food security, related to economic and mental distress, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess food insecurity and its associated factors in undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2020 to February 2021 with 4775 undergraduates from all Brazilian regions. The questionnaire contained socio-economic variables, the validated Brazilian food insecurity scale, and the ESQUADA scale to assess diet quality. The median age of the students was 22.0 years, and 48.0% reported income decreasing with the pandemic. Food insecurity was present in 38.6% of the students, 4.5% with severe food insecurity and 7.7% moderate. Logistic regressions showed students with brown and black skin color/race presented the highest OR for food insecurity; both income and weight increase or reduction during the pandemic was also associated with a higher OR for food insecurity, and better diet quality was associated with decreased OR for food insecurity. Our study showed a considerable presence of food insecurity in undergraduates. Policy for this population must be directed to the most vulnerable: those with brown and black skin color/race, who changed income during the pandemic, and those presented with difficulties maintaining weight and with poor diet quality.

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Skipping breakfast is associated with lower diet quality in young US children

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1038/s41430-018-0084-3 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 72 (4) ◽

pp. 548-556 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Samantha A. Ramsay ◽

Tama D. Bloch ◽

Barbara Marriage ◽

Lenka H. Shriver ◽

Colleen K. Spees ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diet Quality ◽

Us Children ◽

Skipping Breakfast

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Household Food Insecurity, Diet Quality, and Obesity: An Explanatory Model

Obesity ◽

10.1002/oby.23033 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

pp. 143-149

Author(s):

Gregory S. Keenan ◽

Paul Christiansen ◽

Charlotte A. Hardman

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Explanatory Model ◽

Household Food Insecurity ◽

Household Food

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

American Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2105/ajph.2020.305783 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 110 (9) ◽

pp. 1422-1428 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

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.

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What can Secondary Data Tell Us about Household Food Insecurity in a High-Income Country Context?

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16010082 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 82 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Ourega-Zoé Ejebu ◽

Stephen Whybrow ◽

Lynda Mckenzie ◽

Elizabeth Dowler ◽

Ada Garcia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Insecurity ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Secondary Analysis ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Household Food Insecurity ◽

Average Income ◽

Household Food ◽

Scottish Health Survey ◽

Comprehensive Picture ◽

The Mean

In the absence of routinely collected household food insecurity data, this study investigated what could be determined about the nature and prevalence of household food insecurity in Scotland from secondary data. Secondary analysis of the Living Costs and Food Survey (2007–2012) was conducted to calculate weekly food expenditure and its ratio to equivalised income for households below average income (HBAI) and above average income (non-HBAI). Diet Quality Index (DQI) scores were calculated for this survey and the Scottish Health Survey (SHeS, 2008 and 2012). Secondary data provided a partial picture of food insecurity prevalence in Scotland, and a limited picture of differences in diet quality. In 2012, HBAI spent significantly less in absolute terms per week on food and non-alcoholic drinks (£53.85) compared to non-HBAI (£86.73), but proportionately more of their income (29% and 15% respectively). Poorer households were less likely to achieve recommended fruit and vegetable intakes than were more affluent households. The mean DQI score (SHeS data) of HBAI fell between 2008 and 2012, and was significantly lower than the mean score for non-HBAI in 2012. Secondary data are insufficient to generate the robust and comprehensive picture needed to monitor the incidence and prevalence of food insecurity in Scotland.

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Quality of diet related to food insecurity and food stamps use among older people

Ageing Research ◽

10.4081/ar.2011.e3 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 3 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Maria F Montoya ◽

Andre W Hite ◽

Patricia Rohrbeck ◽

Binky Bawa ◽

Oladayo O Akinwolemiwa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Diet Quality ◽

The United States ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Food Stamps ◽

Older Individuals ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Food Security Status

We explore the association between quality of diet and food security status among older persons. Cross-sectional survey of large national samples, from the National Health & Nutrition Examination Surveys (1988-1994 & 2001-2002), in the United States. A total of 5,039 and 2,040 men and women aged 60 and older, respectively. The dependent variable was the healthy eating index (HEI; 2000 and 2005) as a measure of diet quality. The independent variable of interest was food security status and was categorized as food secure, food insecurity receiving food stamps and food insecurity not receiving food stamps. In multivariate analyses, food insecure individuals not receiving food stamps had lower total HEI-2000 scores compared to food secure individuals (b=-3.91, SE=1.81, P=0.0310). Factors independently associated with high HEI (2000 or 2005) scores were female gender, being married, highly educated or wealthy, with very good/ excellent perceived health, or without functional limitations. Food secure individuals had better quality of diet than food insecure individuals. Among food insecure individuals, receiving food stamps was not associated with diet quality. Food insecure families with older individuals may need new methods of dissemination of food and nutrition programs – methods that yield positive and promising changes in the health status of this special population group.

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