Household food security: Perceptions, behavior and nutritional quality of food purchases

This study focuses on model–data fit with a particular emphasis on household-level fit within the context of measuring household food insecurity. Household fit indices are used to examine the psychometric quality of household-level measures of food insecurity. In the United States, measures of food insecurity are commonly obtained from the U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM, 18 items) of the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS). These measures, in various forms, are used to inform national programs and policies related to food insecurity. Data for low-income households with children from recent administrations of the HFSSM (2012-2014) are used in this study ( N = 7,324). The results suggest that there are detectable levels of misfit with Infit mean square error (MSE) statistics ranging from 6.73 % to 21.33% and Outfit MSE statistics ranging from 5.31% to 9.68%. The data suggest for Outfit MSE statistics that (a) male respondents, (b) respondents with lower levels of education, and (c) respondents who did not report participating in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly the Food Stamp Program) tend to have more misfit. For Infit MSE statistics, lack of homeownership appears to be a predictor of misfit. The implications of this research for future research, theory, and policy related to the measurement of household food insecurity are discussed.

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Development of the Healthy Purchase Index (HPI): a scoring system to assess the nutritional quality of household food purchases

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980018003154 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 765-775 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marion Tharrey ◽

Christophe Dubois ◽

Matthieu Maillot ◽

Florent Vieux ◽

Caroline Méjean ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Low Income ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Food Purchases ◽

Deprived Neighbourhoods ◽

Sugary Drinks ◽

Household Food ◽

The Mean

AbstractObjectiveTo develop an index to assess the nutritional quality of household food purchases based on food expenditures only.DesignA database of monthly food purchases of a convenience sample of low-income households was used to develop the Healthy Purchase Index (HPI). The HPI is the sum of two sub-scores based on expenditure shares of food categories in total household food expenditure: the purchase diversity sub-score and the purchase quality sub-score. The first was adapted from an existing diversity score. The second integrated those food categories identified as the best predictors of the nutritional quality of purchases based on associations between expenditure shares of food categories and two nutritional quality indicators: the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) and the mean excess ratio (MER). Correlation between the HPI and a score assessing adherence to French dietary guidelines (PNNS-GSmod) was performed as a first validation.Setting/ParticpantsFood purchases of 112 households from deprived neighbourhoods of Marseille (France), participating in the Opticourses and Jassur projects (2012–2015).ResultsThe purchase diversity sub-score reflects the presence in food purchases of five food categories: fruits, vegetables, starches, dairy products, and meat, fish & eggs. The purchase quality sub-score is based on expenditure shares for fruit & vegetables, added fats & seasonings, sweet snacks, cheese, sugary drinks, refined grains and fish, as these were identified as predictors of the nutritional quality of purchases. The HPI was positively associated with the PNNS-GSmod (rs=0·378; P<0·001).ConclusionsThe HPI helps assess the healthiness of household food purchases.

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Is the UK diet sustainable? Assessing the environmental impact, cost and nutritional quality of household food purchases

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665117001811 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 76 (OCE3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

W.L. Wrieden ◽

I. Leinonen ◽

K.L. Barton ◽

J. Halligan ◽

L. Goffe

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impact ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Food Purchases ◽

Household Food ◽

The Uk ◽

Impact Cost

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Does how you pay influence the share of healthy items that you Buy? Assessing differences in nutritional quality of food purchases by payment type

Food Policy ◽

10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101886 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 92 ◽

pp. 101886

Author(s):

Eliana Zeballos ◽

Lisa Mancino ◽

Biing-Hwan Lin

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Quality ◽

Food Purchases ◽

Quality Of Food

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Nutritional Quality of Vegetables, Fruits, Protein Foods, and Sodium Distributed in Client Food Bags Is Positively Associated with Client Diet Quality in Rural Food Pantries (P04-138-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz051.p04-138-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Heather Eicher-Miller ◽

Breanne Wright ◽

Patricia Guenther ◽

Lacey McCormack ◽

Suzanne Stluka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Nutritional Quality ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Negatively Associated ◽

Food Pantries ◽

Food Security Status ◽

Quality Of Food ◽

Dietary Score

Abstract Objectives Food provided by food pantries has the potential to improve the dietary quality of pantry clients. This study evaluated the relationship between the nutritional quality of food pantry inventories and client food bags (separately) with client diet quality, and how these relationships varied by food security status. Methods This cross-sectional secondary analysis drew from a multi-state intervention that included adults (n = 618) from 24 rural, Midwestern food pantries. Participants completed a demographic and food security assessment and up to three 24-hour dietary recalls on non-consecutive days. Food types and amounts in pantry inventories, client food bags, and clients’ diets were coded using the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies and scored using the Healthy Eating Index-2010 (HEI-2010). All foods were assumed to be in their as-consumed form. Multiple linear regression models determined associations between HEI-2010 total and component scores for pantry inventories or client food bags (in separate models) and the corresponding scores for client dietary intake with the interaction of client food security status and adjustment for potential confounders. Results Client food-bag HEI-2010 scores were positively associated with client dietary scores for the Total Vegetables, Total Fruit, Total Protein Foods, and Sodium components, but not for the total score. Inventory scores were negatively associated with client scores for the total score and Total Fruit and Fatty Acids components. The association of client food-bag Whole Grains score with the corresponding dietary score was greater for clients with very low food security compared to those who were food secure. The association of inventory Greens and Beans score with the corresponding dietary score was greater for clients with very low food security compared to those with low food security (All results, P < 0.05). Conclusions The nutritional quality of food bags was positively associated with client diet quality for several components, whereas inventory quality was negatively associated with client diet quality overall. Strength of associations differed by food security status. Funding Sources This project was supported by U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hatch Project grants.

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Urban vs. Rural Socioeconomic Differences in the Nutritional Quality of Household Packaged Food Purchases by Store Type

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17207637 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (20) ◽

pp. 7637 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Allison Lacko ◽

Shu Wen Ng ◽

Barry Popkin

Keyword(s):

Nutritional Quality ◽

Multivariate Regression ◽

Food System ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Food Purchases ◽

Weighted Means ◽

Food And Beverage ◽

Quality Of Food ◽

Packaged Food

The U.S. food system is rapidly changing, including the growth of mass merchandisers and dollar stores, which may impact the quality of packaged food purchases (PFPs). Furthermore, diet-related disparities exist by socioeconomic status (SES) and rural residence. We use data from the 2010–2018 Nielsen Homescan Panel to describe the nutritional profiles of PFPs by store type and to assess whether these vary by household urbanicity and SES. Store types include grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, online shopping, dollar stores, and convenience/drug stores. Food and beverage groups contributing the most calories at each store type are estimated using survey-weighted means, while the associations of urbanicity and SES with nutritional quality are estimated using multivariate regression. We find that households that are customers at particular store types purchase the same quality of food regardless of urbanicity or SES. However, we find differences in the quality of foods between store types and that the quantity of calories purchased at each store type varies according to household urbanicity and SES. Rural shoppers tend to shop more at mass merchandisers and dollar stores with less healthful PFPs. We discuss implications for the types of store interventions most relevant for improving the quality of PFPs.

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