Disentangling food insecurity and maternal depression: Which comes first?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Layton Reesor-Oyer ◽  
Aliye B. Cepni ◽  
Che Young Lee ◽  
Xue Zhao ◽  
Daphne C. Hernandez
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Maternal Depression ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Composite International Diagnostic Interview ◽  
The United States ◽  
Time Points ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Objective: To determine the temporal directionality of the association between food insecurity and maternal depression. Design: Food insecurity was measured at two time points using the 18-item USDA Food Security Scale. Maternal depression was measured at two time points using the 15-item Composite International Diagnostic Interview-Short Form. Two structural equation models were utilized to evaluate the impact of food insecurity on maternal depression (model 1) and the impact of maternal depression on food insecurity (model 2). Both models controlled for socio-demographic and parenting characteristics and child behavior problems, along with prior measures of the dependent variable, concurrent measures of the independent variable. Setting: Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing (FFCW) study, 20 cities across the United States Participants: 4,897 mothers who participated in two waves of the FFCW study. Results: On average, 17% (time 1) and 15% (time 2) of mothers experienced food insecurity and 21% (time 1) and 17% (time 2) of mothers experienced depression over time. Maternal depression at time 1 was associated with 53% increased odds (OR=1.53; B=0.43; p <.001) of food insecurity at time 2, controlling for time 1 food insecurity, concurrent depression, and covariates. Food insecurity at time 1 was associated with 36% increased odds (OR=1.36; B=0.31; p <.001) of maternal depression at time 2, controlling for time 1 depression, concurrent food insecurity, and covariates. Conclusions: We found a bidirectional relationship between food insecurity and maternal depression. A holistic approach that combines food assistance and mental health services may be an efficacious approach to reducing both depressive symptoms food insecurity among low-income mothers.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity in a Low-Income, Predominantly African American Cohort Following the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 (3) ◽  
pp. 494-497
Author(s):  
Tamara Dubowitz ◽  
Madhumita Ghosh Dastidar ◽  
Wendy M. Troxel ◽  
Robin Beckman ◽  
Alvin Nugroho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Food Bank ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
National Trends ◽  
The Impact

Objectives. To examine the impact of COVID-19 shutdowns on food insecurity among a predominantly African American cohort residing in low-income racially isolated neighborhoods. Methods. Residents of 2 low-income African American food desert neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were surveyed from March 23 to May 22, 2020, drawing on a longitudinal cohort (n = 605) previously followed from 2011 to 2018. We examined longitudinal trends in food insecurity from 2011 to 2020 and compared them with national trends. We also assessed use of food assistance in our sample in 2018 versus 2020. Results. From 2018 to 2020, food insecurity increased from 20.7% to 36.9% (t = 7.63; P < .001) after steady declines since 2011. As a result of COVID-19, the United States has experienced a 60% increase in food insecurity, whereas this sample showed a nearly 80% increase, widening a preexisting disparity. Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (52.2%) and food bank use (35.9%) did not change significantly during the early weeks of the pandemic. Conclusions. Longitudinal data highlight profound inequities that have been exacerbated by COVID-19. Existing policies appear inadequate to address the widening gap.

scholarly journals The Impact of Attachment on Depression in Married Seniors: Chain Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem and Rumination

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaxi Peng ◽  
Jiaxi Zhang ◽  
Kangwei Zhao ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Yi Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Attachment Anxiety ◽  
Mediating Effects ◽  
Attachment Avoidance ◽  
The Impact

In this study, we discuss the effects of attachment on depression and the mediating roles of self-esteem and rumination in Chinese seniors. We assessed 431 using the Experiences in Close Relationships Inventory, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Ruminative Responses Scale, and the Short Form of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Both attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance significantly predicted depression in seniors. Attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance positively predicted rumination but negatively predicted self-esteem. Structural equation models showed that rumination and self-esteem fully mediated the effects of attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance on depression. The attachment of seniors is related to depression, and self-esteem and rumination have chain mediating effects between attachment and depression.

scholarly journals Combined Effects of Race and Socioeconomic Status on Cancer Beliefs, Cognitions, and Emotions

Healthcare ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shervin Assari ◽  
Pegah Khoshpouri ◽  
Hamid Chalian
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Educational Attainment ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
The United States ◽  
Racial Gap ◽  
Cancer Beliefs ◽  
Risk Of Cancer

Aim: To determine whether socioeconomic status (SES; educational attainment and income) explains the racial gap in cancer beliefs, cognitions, and emotions in a national sample of American adults. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, data came from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 2017, which included a nationally representative sample of American adults. The study enrolled 2277 adults who were either non-Hispanic Black (n = 409) or non-Hispanic White (n = 1868). Race, demographic factors (age and gender), SES (i.e., educational attainment and income), health access (insurance status, usual source of care), family history of cancer, fatalistic cancer beliefs, perceived risk of cancer, and cancer worries were measured. We ran structural equation models (SEMs) for data analysis. Results: Race and SES were associated with perceived risk of cancer, cancer worries, and fatalistic cancer beliefs, suggesting that non-Hispanic Blacks, low educational attainment and low income were associated with higher fatalistic cancer beliefs, lower perceived risk of cancer, and less cancer worries. Educational attainment and income only partially mediated the effects of race on cancer beliefs, emotions, and cognitions. Race was directly associated with fatalistic cancer beliefs, perceived risk of cancer, and cancer worries, net of SES. Conclusions: Racial gap in SES is not the only reason behind racial gap in cancer beliefs, cognitions, and emotions. Racial gap in cancer related beliefs, emotions, and cognitions is the result of race and SES rather than race or SES. Elimination of racial gap in socioeconomic status will not be enough for elimination of racial disparities in cancer beliefs, cognitions, and emotions in the United States.

scholarly journals Sheltering in place swings door open wide to food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 11
Author(s):  
Amir Alakaam ◽  
Sondra Gudmundson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
The United States ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Community Needs ◽  
The World ◽  
Or Practice ◽  
Access To Food ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic is causing economic devastation and health system instability around the world. It has been reported that virus pandemics result in food crises even before the appearance of health impacts of the virus in the community. Addressing the consequences of food insecurity is critical during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, there is no evidence for the best module or practice used to reduce food insecurity during COVID-19 pandemic. However, a previously adapted tool can be used to address and measure community needs as well as expand access to food. The purpose of this report is to introduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food insecurity among the low-income population of the United States and to provide a suggestion to intervene on the impact. Using a validated tool to identify food insecurity, coupled with urgent immediate policy change, may diminish consequences of food insecurity and protect the health of those most fragile during a pandemic crisis in rural and low-income communities.

Development and evaluation of novel science and chemistry identity measures

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 852-877 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn N. Hosbein ◽  
Jack Barbera
Keyword(s):  
Identity Formation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
The United States ◽  
Situational Interest ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Verbal Persuasion ◽  
Mastery Experiences ◽  
And Mathematics ◽  
The Impact

Identity has been proposed as a mechanism to increase persistence within Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education programs. To assess the impact of identity on STEM persistence, measures that produce valid and reliable data within a given STEM discipline need to be employed. Therefore, this study developed and evaluated the functioning of science and chemistry identity measures in the context of university-level chemistry courses. The developed measures were administered to students enrolled in general and organic chemistry courses at four universities across the United States. Validity and reliability evidence for the data provided by the novel measures was supported using confirmatory factor analysis and McDonald's omega. Additionally, two competing structural equation models (SEMs), designed to explore the relations between mastery experiences, verbal persuasion, situational interest, and science or chemistry identity, were tested and compared to previously reported results. Both SEMs produced acceptable data-model fit, therefore a superior model was chosen based on theoretical support. Within both SEMs, the direct pathway (relation) between mastery experiences and identity was nonsignificant. The more supported model proposed that the relation was indirect and facilitated through verbal persuasion and situational interest. While the indirect relation was supported in both courses, the predominate pathway varied by course. Limitations of the science identity measure, recommendations for future use of the Measure of Chemistry Identity (MoChI), and suggestions for the facilitation of positive identity formation within chemistry classrooms are discussed.

Understanding Food Security as a Social Determinant of Diabetes-Related Health during Pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen Gomez ◽  
Julia D. DiTosto ◽  
Charlotte M. Niznik ◽  
Lynn M. Yee
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
The United States ◽  
Social Determinant ◽  
Future Research ◽  
The Impact

Gestational and pregestational diabetes during pregnancy are substantial and growing public health issues. Low-income individuals and individuals who identify as racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately affected. Food security, which is defined as the degree to which individuals have capacity to access and obtain food, is at the center of nutritional resources and decisions for individuals with diabetes. While increasingly recognized as an important mediator of health disparities in the United States, food insecurity is understudied during pregnancy and specifically among pregnant individuals with diabetes, for whom the impact of food-related resources may be even greater. Previous research has suggested that food insecurity is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnoses and disease exacerbation in the general adult population. An emerging body of research has suggested that food insecurity during pregnancy is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus diagnoses and adverse diabetes-related outcomes. Additionally, food insecurity during pregnancy may be associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Future research and clinical work should aim to further examine these relationships and subsequently develop evidence-based interventions to improve diabetes-related outcomes among pregnant individuals with food insecurity. The purpose of this article is to offer a working definition of food security, briefly review issues of food insecurity and diabetes, summarize research on food insecurity and diabetes-related pregnancy health, and discuss clinical recommendations and areas for future investigation. Key Points

Demonstrating Nutrient Cost Gradients: A Brooklyn Case Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 84 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 244-251 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Karp ◽  
Gary Wong ◽  
Marguerite Orsi
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Food Selection ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Department ◽  
Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Caloric Density ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
The Cost ◽  
The Impact

Abstract. Introduction: Foods dense in micronutrients are generally more expensive than those with higher energy content. These cost-differentials may put low-income families at risk of diminished micronutrient intake. Objectives: We sought to determine differences in the cost for iron, folate, and choline in foods available for purchase in a low-income community when assessed for energy content and serving size. Methods: Sixty-nine foods listed in the menu plans provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for low-income families were considered, in 10 domains. The cost and micronutrient content for-energy and per-serving of these foods were determined for the three micronutrients. Exact Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparisons of energy costs; Spearman rho tests for comparisons of micronutrient content. Ninety families were interviewed in a pediatric clinic to assess the impact of food cost on food selection. Results: Significant differences between domains were shown for energy density with both cost-for-energy (p < 0.001) and cost-per-serving (p < 0.05) comparisons. All three micronutrient contents were significantly correlated with cost-for-energy (p < 0.01). Both iron and choline contents were significantly correlated with cost-per-serving (p < 0.05). Of the 90 families, 38 (42 %) worried about food costs; 40 (44 %) had chosen foods of high caloric density in response to that fear, and 29 of 40 families experiencing both worry and making such food selection. Conclusion: Adjustments to USDA meal plans using cost-for-energy analysis showed differentials for both energy and micronutrients. These differentials were reduced using cost-per-serving analysis, but were not eliminated. A substantial proportion of low-income families are vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies.

scholarly journals SEM-PLS Approach to Green Building

Encyclopedia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 472-481
Author(s):  
Nasim Aghili ◽  
Mehdi Amirkhani
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Green Building ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Assessment System ◽  
Renewable Materials ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Building Operation ◽  
The Impact

Green buildings refer to buildings that decrease adverse environmental effects and maintain natural resources. They can diminish energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, the usage of non-renewable materials, water consumption, and waste generation while improving occupants’ health and well-being. As such, several rating tools and benchmarks have been developed worldwide to assess green building performance (GBP), including the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) in the United Kingdom, German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in the United States and Canada, Comprehensive Assessment System for Built Environment Efficiency (CASBEE) in Japan, Green Star in Australia, Green Mark in Singapore, and Green Building Index in Malaysia. Energy management (EM) during building operation could also improve GBP. One of the best approaches to evaluating the impact of EM on GBP is by using structural equation modelling (SEM). SEM is a commanding statistical method to model testing. One of the most used SEM variance-based approaches is partial least squares (PLS), which can be implemented in the SmartPLS application. PLS-SEM uses path coefficients to determine the strength and significance of the hypothesised relationships between the latent constructs.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impact of Multi-Morbidity and Related Constructs on Patient Reported Safety in Primary Care: Generalized Structural Equation Modelling of Observational Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1782
Author(s):  
Ignacio Ricci-Cabello ◽  
Aina María Yañez-Juan ◽  
Maria A. Fiol-deRoque ◽  
Alfonso Leiva ◽  
Joan Llobera Canaves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Patient Safety ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Morbidity Burden ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Patient Complexity ◽  
Complex Relationships ◽  
The Impact

We aimed to examine the complex relationships between patient safety processes and outcomes and multimorbidity using a comprehensive set of constructs: multimorbidity, polypharmacy, discordant comorbidity (diseases not sharing either pathogenesis nor management), morbidity burden and patient complexity. We used cross-sectional data from 4782 patients in 69 primary care centres in Spain. We constructed generalized structural equation models to examine the associations between multimorbidity constructs and patient-reported patient safety (PREOS-PC questionnaire). These associations were modelled through direct and indirect (mediated by increased interactions with healthcare) pathways. For women, a consistent association between higher levels of the multimorbidity constructs and lower levels of patient safety was observed via either pathway. The findings for men replicated these observations for polypharmacy, morbidity burden and patient complexity via indirect pathways. However, direct pathways showed unexpected associations between higher levels of multimorbidity and better safety. The consistent association between multimorbidity constructs and worse patient safety among women makes it advisable to target this group for the development of interventions, with particular attention to the role of comorbidity discordance. Further research, particularly qualitative research, is needed for clarifying the complex associations among men.

scholarly journals “You run out of hope:” An Exploration of Low-Income Parents’ Experiences with Food Insecurity using Photovoice

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Payge Lindow ◽  
Irene H. Yen ◽  
Mingyu Xiao ◽  
Cindy W. Leung
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Unhealthy Eating ◽  
Low Income Families ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACT Objective: Using an adaption of the Photovoice method, this study explored how food insecurity affected parents’ ability to provide food for their family, their strategies for managing household food insecurity, and the impact of food insecurity on their well-being. Design: Parents submitted photos around their families’ experiences with food insecurity. Afterwards, they completed in-depth, semi-structured interviews about their photos. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for thematic content using the constant comparative method. Setting: San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA. Subjects: 17 parents (14 mothers and 3 fathers) were recruited from a broader qualitative study on understanding the experiences of food insecurity in low-income families. Results: Four themes were identified from the parents’ photos and interviews. First, parents described multiple aspects of their food environment that promoted unhealthy eating behaviors. Second, parents shared strategies they employed to acquire food with limited resources. Third, parents expressed feelings of shame, guilt, and distress resulting from their experience of food insecurity. And finally, parents described treating their children to special foods to cultivate a sense of normalcy. Conclusions: Parents highlighted the external contributors and internal struggles of their experiences of food insecurity. Additional research to understand the experiences of the food-insecure families may help to improve nutrition interventions targeting this structurally vulnerable population.

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