scholarly journals Prioritization of the essentials in the spending patterns of Canadian households experiencing food insecurity

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 2065-2078 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrée-Anne Fafard St-Germain ◽  
Valerie Tarasuk
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Basic Needs ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Budget Share ◽  
Household Spending ◽  
Spending Patterns ◽  
Care Health ◽  
Food Insecure Households

AbstractObjectiveFood insecurity is a potent determinant of health and indicator of material deprivation in many affluent countries. Food insecurity is associated with compromises in food and housing expenditures, but how it relates to other expenditures is unknown. The present study described households’ resource allocation over a 12-month period by food insecurity status.DesignExpenditure data from the 2010 Survey of Household Spending were aggregated into four categories (basic needs, other necessities, discretionary, investments/assets) and ten sub-categories (food, clothing, housing, transportation, household/personal care, health/education, leisure, miscellaneous, personal insurance/pension, durables/assets). A four-level food insecurity status was created using the adult-specific items of the Household Food Security Survey Module. Mean dollars spent and budget share by food insecurity status were estimated with generalized linear models adjusted first for household size and composition, and subsequently for after-tax income quartiles.SettingCanada.SubjectsPopulation-based sample of households from the ten provinces (n9050).ResultsFood-secure households had higher mean total expenditures than marginally, moderately and severely food-insecure households (P-trend <0·0001). As severity of food insecurity increased, households spent less on all categories and sub-categories, except transportation, but they allocated a larger budget share to basic needs and smaller shares to discretionary spending and investments/assets. The downward trends for dollars spent on basic needs and other necessities became non-significant after accounting for income, but the upward trend in the budget shares for basic needs persisted.ConclusionsThe spending patterns of food-insecure households suggest that they prioritized essential needs above all else.

scholarly journals Household food security status and associated factors among high-school students in Esfahan, Iran

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1609-1613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Assieh Mohammadzadeh ◽  
Ahmadreza Dorosty ◽  
Mohammadreza Eshraghian
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
School Students ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Food Insecure Households

AbstractObjectiveThe present study was designed to determine household food security status and factors associated with food insecurity among high-school students in Esfahan, Iran.DesignCross-sectional surveys.SettingThe present study was conducted in autumn 2008 in Esfahan, Iran. The samples were selected using systematic cluster sampling. Socio-economic questionnaires, food security questionnaires and FFQ were filled out during face-to-face interviews. In addition, data on participants’ weights and heights were collected.SubjectsA total of 580 students (261 boys and 319 girls) aged 14–17 years from forty high schools in Esfahan, Iran, were selected.ResultsThe prevalence of household food insecurity according to the US Department of Agriculture food security questionnaire was 36·6 % (95 % CI 0·33, 0·40). Food insecurity was positively associated with number of members in the household (P < 0·05) and negatively associated with parental education level and job status and household economic status (P < 0·05). Moreover, students living in food-insecure households more frequently consumed bread, macaroni, potato and egg (P < 0·05), while they less frequently consumed rice, red meat, sausage and hamburger, poultry, fish, green vegetables, root and bulb (coloured) vegetables, melons, apples and oranges, milk and yoghurt (P < 0·05).ConclusionsFood insecurity was prevalent among households in Esfahan, Iran, and food security status was associated with socio-economic factors. Students who belonged to food-secure households more frequently consumed healthy foods (except sausage and hamburger), whereas those living in food-insecure households more frequently consumed cheap foods containing high energy per kilogram. The present study suggests that intervention programmes be designed and carried out.

scholarly journals Household Food Insecurity Is Associated with Higher BMI in a US Cohort of Infants (OR02-03-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Benjamin-Neelon ◽  
Carter Allen ◽  
Brian Neelon
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
World Health ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Z Score ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Household Food ◽  
The Us ◽  
Food Insecure Households

Abstract Objectives Infancy represents a critical period for growth and development, and food insecurity during this time may impact later health. Few previous studies have assessed food insecurity and obesity in young children in the US, and even fewer have targeted infants. Moreover, the ability of federal food assistance programs to affect this relation remains unclear. Methods We examined 666 infants in the US-based Nurture birth cohort. We conducted home visits when infants were 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. We measured household food insecurity via maternal report using the US Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form. We categorized infants as living in full, marginal, low, or very low food security households. We calculated infant body mass index (BMI) z-score from measured lengths and weights using World Health Organization reference standards. We documented participation in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) at each home visit. We used repeated-measures linear regression models with imputed data to examine covariate-adjusted associations between household food security and BMI z-score throughout infancy. Results Nearly 70% of infants were black and 49% were female. At 3 months, 32.8% of infants were from households with low or very low food security. Infant BMI increased from months 3 to 12 in all food security groups (Figure). However, after adjustment for potential confounders, low household food insecurity (0.18; 95% CI 0.05, 0.32; P = 0.01) and very low household food insecurity (0.22; 95% CI 0.05, 0.38; P = 0.01) were associated with higher infant BMI z-score throughout infancy but marginal household food security was not (0.001; 95% CI −0.13, 0.13; P = 0.99). There was no evidence of effect modification by participation in either WIC (P = 0.36) or SNAP (P = 0.67). Conclusions Infants from food insecure households had higher BMIs throughout infancy, and this association was not attenuated by WIC or SNAP participation. About one-third of infants in this cohort were living in food insecure households, which raises substantial concern from both a public health and obesity prevention perspective. Funding Sources NIDDK, National Institutes of Health. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

scholarly journals Development and validation of measure of household food insecurity in Northern Rao PDR

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji-Yun Hwang ◽  
Seoungwoo John Lee ◽  
Mi Nae Yang
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Maternal Education ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Nutritional Deficiencies ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Natural Material ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Asset ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Insecure Households

AbstractIntroductionLao PDR is one of the poorest countries in the world, ranked the 138th of 188 developing countries. Although household food insecurity has been prevalent in Northern Rao PDR, no valid measurement of household food insecurity exists. Therefore, the study was to develop a household food insecurity questionnaire and verify the validity of the questionnaire in the rural areas of Lao PDR.Materials and MethodsUsing a multistage-sampling cross-sectional study, the sample included 373 households with children under 5 years of age living in Xieng Khouang, Lao PDR. The questionnaire was composed of 18 items based on the US household Food Security Survey Module and partially modified to local circumstances. Internal consistency of questions measured with Cronbach's α was adequate, result of 0.746. External validity was evaluated through comparison analyses between food insecurity levels and household socioeconomic indicators.Results and discussionAmong 373 households, 42.7% were food-insecure and 4.3% were food-insecure with hunger. There were more food-insecure households in those with lower maternal education levels (P < 0.001), greater number of household members (P < 0.001), longer travel time to farmland (P = 0.003), and lower household asset scores (P < 0.001). Households with the residence made of natural material for walls (P < 0.001), roofs (P < 0.001) and floors (P < 0.001) as well as without electricity (P < 0.001), pipe to supply drinking water (P < 0.001), and income other than agriculture (P < 0.001) had higher food insecurity than their counterparts. In addition, inadequate maternal prenatal care and education, child health care, and vaccinations increased household food insecurity. Mothers and children in food-insecure households had lower intakes of various food groups including protein-source foods. This study would provide a valid instrument to assess food insecurity and be used in the future as an evaluation tool for the improvement of nutritional deficiencies as well as a tool for selection of target subjects in Northern Rao PDR.

scholarly journals Infants from Food Insecure Households Have Altered Gut Microbiota (OR01-03-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Benjamin-Neelon ◽  
Moira Differding ◽  
Noel Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Sequence Variants ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Food Insecure Households ◽  
Gut Microbiota Composition

Abstract Objectives Infancy represents a critical period for growth and development. Food insecurity (defined as the limited availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods) in early life may have both immediate and long-term health implications. Some limited evidence suggests that food insecurity in adults may influence the gut microbiota composition, perhaps through a lack of dietary diversity. A number of studies also link malnutrition with alterations in the gut microbiota in children. However, associations between food insecurity and the gut microbiota have yet to be explored in children and especially in infants, who may have had little exposure to foods other than human milk and formula. Methods Participants were from the Nurture study, a birth cohort of predominately black women and their infants residing in the southeastern United States. We collected stool samples from 68 infants 3 months after birth. Our exposure was household food security status assessed when infants were between 2 and 3 months. We used the US Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form. We grouped scores of 0–1 (full or marginal food security) as food secure and 2–6 (low or very low food security) as food insecure, consistent with prior studies. For the 3-month outcome, we used an Illumina MiSeq to conduct paired-end sequencing of the 16S rRNA V4 region. We used beta-binomial regression to determine differential abundance of microbiota according to food security status. Two-sided FDR corrected P-values < 0.05 were considered significant. We adjusted for delivery method (C-section versus vaginal), breastfeeding (never versus any), and timing of introduction to solid foods (at or before 3 months versus after 3 months of age). Results Demographic characteristics of mothers and infants from food insecure households (n = 20) resembled those from food secure households (n = 45). The relative abundance of 16 microbial amplicon sequence variants were lower in food insecure infants, and 3 microbial amplicon sequence variants were higher in food secure infants (Figure). Conclusions Findings from our birth cohort suggest that infants from food insecure households had altered gut microbiota composition at 3 months of age. Future research is warranted to provide mechanistic insight into these potentially novel associations. Funding Sources NIDDK, National Institutes of Health. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

scholarly journals Food Insecurity and COVID-19: Disparities in Early Effects for US Adults

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia A. Wolfson ◽  
Cindy W. Leung
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Basic Needs ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
The United States ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
The Us ◽  
Federal Poverty Line ◽  
Early Effects

The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically increased food insecurity in the United States (US). The objective of this study was to understand the early effects of the COVID-19 pandemic among low-income adults in the US as social distancing measures began to be implemented. On 19–24 March 2020 we fielded a national, web-based survey (53% response rate) among adults with <250% of the federal poverty line in the US (N = 1478). Measures included household food security status and COVID-19-related basic needs challenges. Overall, 36% of low-income adults in the US were food secure, 20% had marginal food security, and 44% were food insecure. Less than one in five (18.8%) of adults with very low food security reported being able to comply with public health recommendations to purchase two weeks of food at a time. For every basic needs challenge, food-insecure adults were significantly more likely to report facing that challenge, with a clear gradient effect based on severity of food security. The short-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are magnifying existing disparities and disproportionately affecting low-income, food-insecure households that already struggle to meet basic needs. A robust, comprehensive policy response is needed to mitigate food insecurity as the pandemic progresses.

scholarly journals The Hunger Vital Sign Identifies Household Food Insecurity among Children in Emergency Departments and Primary Care

Children ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 107
Author(s):  
Gattu ◽  
Paik ◽  
Wang ◽  
Ray ◽  
Lichenstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Emergency Department ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Vital Sign ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Insecure Households

This study aimed: (1) to examine the sensitivity and specificity of the 2-item Hunger Vital Sign against the 18-item Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) in identifying young children in food insecure households in emergency department and primary care sites and (2) to examine associations between food insecurity and adverse health conditions. We conducted cross-sectional surveys from 2009–2017 among 5039 caregivers of children age <48 months. We measured adverse child health by caregiver-reported perceived health, prior hospitalizations, and developmental risk (Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status). Analyses were conducted using covariate-adjusted logistic regression. Sensitivity and specificity of the Hunger Vital Sign against the HFSSM were 96.7% and 86.2%. Using the HFSSM, children in the emergency department had a 28% increase in the odds of experiencing food insecurity, compared to children in primary care, aOR = 1.28, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.08–1.52, p = 0.005. Using the Hunger Vital Sign, the increase was 26%, aOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.08–1.46, and p = 0.003. The odds of children’s adverse health conditions were significantly greater in food insecure households, compared to food secure households, using either HFSSM or the Hunger Vital Sign. Screening for food insecurity with the Hunger Vital Sign identifies children at risk for adverse health conditions in both primary care and emergency department sites, and can be used to connect families with resources to alleviate food insecurity.

scholarly journals Self-Confidence in Food Resource Management Is Associated with Lower Risk of Household Food Insecurity Among SNAP-Ed Eligible Head Start Families

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 213-213
Author(s):  
Lamis Jomaa ◽  
Muzi Na ◽  
Sally Eagleton ◽  
Marwa Diab El Harake ◽  
Jennifer Savage
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Head Start ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Resource ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Insecure Households

Abstract Objectives To examine the associations between food resource management (FRM) self-confidence and behaviors that help maximize the use of food dollars by household food insecurity (HFI) status. Methods Cross-sectional survey on SNAP-Ed eligible Head Start families in Pennsylvania, US (n = 366). HFI status was assessed using the 18-item USDA Household Food Security Module. FRM self-confidence was measured using 5-questions (e.g., “How confident are you that you can buy healthy foods for your family on a budget?”) and FRM behaviors were assessed using 6-questions (e.g., “How often do you plan meals before shopping for groceries?”). The associations between FRM self-confidence and behavior by HFI status were explored using chi-square and simple logistic regression analyses. Results The average FRM self-confidence score of respondents was 3.02(SD: 0.71) and FRM behavior score was 3.7(SD: 0.8). Participants with high FRM self-confidence had lower odds of HFI (OR = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.56, P &lt; 0.001), yet the association between FRM behaviors with HFI status was not found to be statistically significant (P = 0.91). When individual FRM questions were explored, results showed that all FRM self-confidence questions significantly differed by HFI status (highest p-value &lt; 0.046); e.g., a higher proportion of food secure households were moderately confident or very confident to buy healthy foods on a budget compared to food insecure households (75% vs 58%, P &lt; 0.001). For individual FRM behaviors, one of the 6 behaviors differed by HFI status; food insecure households were more likely to report never or rarely using a shopping list when grocery shopping vs their food secure counterparts (12% vs 9%, P = 0.016). Conclusions Higher confidence in FRM skills may protect against food insecurity among SNAP-Ed eligible households. Nutrition education programs designed to assist low-income households in stretching their food dollars need to target self-confidence in FRM skills, and address what factors may affect their FRM behaviors, in an attempt to alleviate food insecurity. Funding Sources This material was funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the PA Department of Human Services (DHS). This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Italian children living in food insecure households and their health status

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
D Zace ◽  
C de Waure ◽  
A Teleman ◽  
L Reali ◽  
M L Di Pietro
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Children's Health ◽  
Children’S Health ◽  
Health Issue ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Food Insecure Households

Abstract Background Food insecurity poses a major threat to population’s health status. Children, if affected, are particularly vulnerable to the possible sequels of food insecurity. Considering that, we aimed to assess the prevalence of children (born in Italy, from Italian parents) living in food insecure households and the association with their health and socio-economic conditions. Methods The study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2018 in pediatric offices. Parents answered to the 18-items of the Household Food Security Index, 8 of which specifically concern children. Households were classified in 4 categories: very low, low, marginal and high food security, creating then a dichotomized variable (food secure and insecure). Pediatricians answered a dedicated questionnaire on children’s health status. We used logistic regression to assess the socio-economic variables predicting food insecurity and chi2 test to evaluate the association between food insecurity and children’s health status. Results Based on parents’ answers, among 573 households with children, 15.4% were food insecure. Food insecurity was associated to lower parent’s education and employment, worse household’s economic condition, higher number of children within a family and geographic location (living in south Italy rather than north). There was a significant association between food insecurity and the presence of visual, relational, psychomotor, dental and physical impairments in children. Conclusions Almost 1 Italian child in 7 lives in food insecure households. Children living in food insecure households have higher probability of having physical, mental and social health problems. Considering the impact on children’s health, food insecurity emerges as a public health issue and should be addressed through the appropriate measures. Key messages Food insecurity among children represents a public health issue even in a developed country such as Italy, affecting children’s present and future health. Policy makers should consider screening children for food insecurity and taking appropriate actions, especially for the at-risk population.

scholarly journals Household food security and breast-feeding duration among Canadian Inuit

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn E McIsaac ◽  
David C Stock ◽  
Wendy Lou
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Child Health ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Breast Feeding ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Feeding Duration ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Breast Feed ◽  
Food Insecure Households ◽  
Breast Fed

AbstractObjectiveThere have been few studies investigating the association between food security and breast-feeding duration and none have been conducted among Canadian Inuit, a population disproportionately burdened with food insecurity. We evaluated the association between household food security and breast-feeding duration in Canadian Inuit children.DesignData were obtained from the Nunavut Inuit Child Health Survey, a population-based cross-sectional survey.SettingThe Canadian Territory of Nunavut in 2007 and 2008.SubjectsCaregivers of Inuit children aged 3–5 years. Participating children were randomly sampled from community medical centre lists.ResultsOut of 215 children, 147 lived in food-insecure households (68·4 %). Using restricted mean survival time models, we estimated that children in food-secure households were breast-fed for 16·8 (95 % CI 12·5, 21·2) months and children in food-insecure households were breast-fed for 21·4 (95 % CI 17·9, 24·8) months. In models adjusting for social class, traditional knowledge and child health, household food security was not associated with breast-feeding duration (hazard ratio=0·82, 95 % CI 0·58, 1·14).ConclusionsOur research does not support the hypothesis that children living in food-insecure households were breast-fed for a longer duration than children living in food-secure households. However, we found that more than 50 % of mothers in food-insecure households continued breast-feeding well beyond 1 year. Many mothers in food-secure households also continued to breast-feed beyond 1 year. Given the high prevalence of food insecurity in Inuit communities, we need to ensure infants and their caregivers are being adequately nourished to support growth and breast-feeding, respectively.

scholarly journals Moderate and Severe Level of Food Insecurity Is Associated with High Calorie-Dense Food Consumption of Filipino Households

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa ◽  
Marvin B. Toledo ◽  
Jezreel Ann T. Zamora
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin A ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Consumption ◽  
Fats And Oils ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
Nutrient Quality ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Insecure Households

Food insecurity is often deeply rooted in poverty. Hence, accessibility and the quality of foods consumed may affect the dietary pattern. The study aims to assess the relationship between food insecurity and dietary consumption. This investigation analyzed the data from the 2015 Updating of Nutritional Nutrition Survey. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to determine household food security status and the prevalence of food insecurity. Food weighing, food inventory, and food recall were the methods used to collect food consumption data of sampled households. The study revealed poor nutrient quality and a greater likelihood of inadequacy of nutrients among moderate and severe food insecure households. Mild, moderate, and severe levels of food insecurity were found to affect 12%, 32%, and 22% of the population, respectively. The test showed that both moderate and severe food insecure families have significantly lower mean consumption of meat, milk, and fats and oils in contrast to food secure households. In comparison with food secure households, moderate and severe food insecure households consume higher amounts of cereals and cereal products, rice, and vegetables. Moderate and severe food insecure households have higher consumption of total carbohydrates but have significantly lower average intake of vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, and total fat related to food stable households. Moreover, the results of the multiple logistic regression revealed that food insecure households have a higher likelihood to be deficient in energy, protein, calcium, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C intakes, but except for iron ( p value <0.05). Indeed, household food insecurity was associated with the higher consumption of calorie-dense food among Filipino households. This explains a lower nutrient quality and a higher likelihood of inadequacy of nutrients among moderate and severe food insecure households.

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