Food insecurity, food skills, health literacy, and food preparation activities among young Canadian adults: A cross-sectional analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Alexandra Pepetone ◽  
Lana Vanderlee ◽  
Christine M. White ◽  
David Hammond ◽  
Sharon I. Kirkpatrick
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Meal Preparation ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
At Home

Abstract Objective: To assess associations between household food security status and indicators of food skills, health literacy, and home meal preparation, among young Canadian adults. Design: Cross-sectional data were analyzed using logistic regression and general linear models to assess associations between food security status and food skills, health literacy, and the proportion of meals prepared at home, by gender. Setting: Participants recruited from five Canadian cities (Vancouver (BC), Edmonton (AB), Toronto (ON), Montreal (QB), and Halifax (NS)) completed an online survey. Participants: 1,389 men and 1,340 women aged 16-30 years. Results: Self-reported food skills were not associated with food security status (P>0.05) among men or women. Compared to those with high health literacy (based on interpretation of a nutrition label), higher odds of food insecurity were observed among men (AOR: 2.58, 95% CI: 1.74-3.82 and 1.56, 95% CI: 1.07-2.28), and women (AOR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.48-3.70 and 1.92, 95% CI: 1.34-2.74) with lower health literacy. Women in food-insecure households reported preparing a lower proportion of breakfasts (β= -0.051, 95% CI: -0.085 – -0.017), lunches (β= -0.062, 95% CI: -0.098 – -0.026) and total meals at home (β= -0.041, 95% CI: -0.065 – -0.016). Men and women identifying as Black or Indigenous, reporting financial difficulty, and with lower levels of education had heightened odds of experiencing food insecurity. Conclusions: Findings are consistent with other studies underscoring the financial precarity, rather than lack of food skills, associated with food insecurity. This precarity may reduce opportunities to apply health literacy and undertake meal preparation.

scholarly journals Characteristics associated with changes in food security status among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Soldavini ◽  
Hazael Andrew ◽  
Maureen Berner
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Security Module ◽  
Adult Food

Abstract The prevalence of food insecurity in the USA has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, past studies have not examined how the food security status of college students has been impacted. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of food insecurity; determine the proportion of students experiencing a change in food security status; and identify characteristics associated with changes in food security status from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of college students. We administered a cross-sectional online survey to students from a large public university in the Southeastern USA. The 10-item U.S. Adult Food Security Module was used to assess food security status during the spring 2020 semester both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students self-reported a variety of individual characteristics. The overall prevalence of food insecurity increased by approximately one-third during the spring 2020 semester from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. When examining the types of changes in food security status experienced by students, 12% improved, 68% stayed the same, and 20% worsened. A variety of characteristics were associated with an improvement or worsening of food security status category from before to during the pandemic. Similar to what is seen in other reports, we found that the overall proportion of college students in our sample experiencing food insecurity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, some students showed improvements in food security status. Approaches for addressing food insecurity during and beyond the pandemic are needed.

scholarly journals Household Food Insecurity in Southeastern Iran: Severity and Related Factors

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zinat Mortazavi ◽  
Ahmad Reza Dorosty ◽  
Mohammad Reza Eshraghian ◽  
Mohtasham Ghaffari ◽  
Alireza Ansari-Moghaddam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status

Background.Today, more than one billion people globally suffer from poverty and food insecurity. This study aimed to determine the severity of and factors related to household food insecurity in Zahedan, Southeastern Iran.Methods.This cross-sectional study was conducted on a total of 2,160 households between November 2014 and December 2015. Demographic and socioeconomic data were collected through interviewing the household mothers. Household food security status was assessed through the USDA 18-item questionnaire. The data were analyzed using chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, and logistic regression model.Results.Total food insecurity in the households investigated was 58.8%. There were significant associations (P<0.001) between household food insecurity status and the socioeconomic status of the households, ethnicity, education, age, and employment status of the head of the household and the mother of the household.Discussion.The results showed that more than half of the households examined suffer from food insecurity. Interventions to improve the food security status of people should be designed and implemented to improve people’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes related to healthy eating and food preparation. People’s access to healthy foods and knowledge of how to select healthy foods (especially on a limited budget) should also be improved.

scholarly journals Tingkat Kecukupan Energi, Protein Dan Status Ketahanan Pangan Rumah Tangga Berhubungan Dengan Status Gizi Anak Usia 6-8 Tahun

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 189
Author(s):  
Rika Kusuma Nagari ◽  
Triska Susila Nindya
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Anthropometric Measurement ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Food Recall ◽  
Nutritional Status Of Children

Background: The nutritional status of elementary school children can be influence by many factors such as levels adequacy of energy and proteinand household food security status. Unbalanced levels adequacy of energy and protein possibility can cause nutritional problems in children. While the status of household food security has an impact on the household ability to access a good food. Objectives: aims of this study are to analyze the relationship between nutritional adequacy level and household food security status with nutritional status of children aged 6-8 years. Method: This study used cross sectional design with sample of 62 families with children aged 6-8 years enrolled in SDN 1 and 2 Sambirejo. Anthropometric measurement of height and weight is used to determine the nutritional status of children. The instruments used 2x24-hours food recall form (energy and protein adequacy level), and US-HFSSM (household food security status). While the statistical test used is spearman correlation test. Results: The results showed a correlation between levels of energy (p=0.000) and protein (p=0.000) adequacy and household food security status (p=0.010) with child nutritional status. Conclusion: Households with food insecurity had a higher proportion of nutritional problem than food secure family, so it is needed to children for having supplemental food, especially them who have nutritional problems and on food insecurity condition. It is intended to provide children with additional nutritious food to reduce the risk of nutritional problems.ABSTRAK Latar Belakang: Status gizi anak sekolah dasar dapat dipengaruhi oleh banyak faktor diantaranya tingkat kecukupan energi dan protein serta status ketahanan pangan rumah tangga. Ketidakseimbangan tingkat kecukupan energi dan protein, kemungkinan dapat menyebabkan masalah gizi pada anak. Status ketahanan pangan rumah tangga berdampak kepada kemampuan dalam mengakses pangan yang baik.Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara tingkat kecukupan energi dan protein serta status ketahanan pangan rumah tangga dengan status gizi anak usia 6-8 tahun.Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan desain cross sectional dengan sampel sebanyak 62 keluarga yang memiliki anak usia 6-8 tahun yang terdaftar di SDN 1 dan 2 Sambirejo. Pengukuran antropometri tinggi badan dan berat badan digunakan untuk mengetahui status gizi anak. Selain itu, instrumen yang digunakan adalah  formulir 2x24-hours food recall (tingkat kecukupan energi dan protein), dan US-HFSSM (status ketahanan pangan rumah tangga). Statistik uji yang digunakan adalah uji korelasi spearman.Hasil: Hasil dari penelitian ini yaitu terdapat hubungan antara tingkat kecukupan energi (p=0,000) dan protein (p=0,000) serta status ketahanan pangan rumah tangga (p=0,010) dengan status gizi anak.Kesimpulan: Rumah tangga yang rawan pangan akan memiliki risiko mengalami masalah gizi yang lebih tinggi bila dibandingkan dengan rumah tangga yang tahan pangan, sehingga perlu adanya pemberian makanan tambahan kepada anak, terutama kepada anak yang memiliki masalah gizi dan berada pada kondisi rawan pangan. Hal tersebut dimaksudkan untuk memberikan anak tambahan makanan yang bergizi agar menurunkan risiko masalah gizi.

scholarly journals Tingkat Kecukupan Energi, Protein Dan Status Ketahanan Pangan Rumah Tangga Berhubungan Dengan Status Gizi Anak Usia 6-8 Tahun

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 189
Author(s):  
Rika Kusuma Nagari ◽  
Triska Susila Nindya
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Nutritional Status ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Anthropometric Measurement ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Food Recall ◽  
Nutritional Status Of Children

Background: The nutritional status of elementary school children can be influence by many factors such as levels adequacy of energy and proteinand household food security status. Unbalanced levels adequacy of energy and protein possibility can cause nutritional problems in children. While the status of household food security has an impact on the household ability to access a good food. Objectives: aims of this study are to analyze the relationship between nutritional adequacy level and household food security status with nutritional status of children aged 6-8 years. Method: This study used cross sectional design with sample of 62 families with children aged 6-8 years enrolled in SDN 1 and 2 Sambirejo. Anthropometric measurement of height and weight is used to determine the nutritional status of children. The instruments used 2x24-hours food recall form (energy and protein adequacy level), and US-HFSSM (household food security status). While the statistical test used is spearman correlation test. Results: The results showed a correlation between levels of energy (p=0.000) and protein (p=0.000) adequacy and household food security status (p=0.010) with child nutritional status. Conclusion: Households with food insecurity had a higher proportion of nutritional problem than food secure family, so it is needed to children for having supplemental food, especially them who have nutritional problems and on food insecurity condition. It is intended to provide children with additional nutritious food to reduce the risk of nutritional problems.ABSTRAK Latar Belakang: Status gizi anak sekolah dasar dapat dipengaruhi oleh banyak faktor diantaranya tingkat kecukupan energi dan protein serta status ketahanan pangan rumah tangga. Ketidakseimbangan tingkat kecukupan energi dan protein, kemungkinan dapat menyebabkan masalah gizi pada anak. Status ketahanan pangan rumah tangga berdampak kepada kemampuan dalam mengakses pangan yang baik.Tujuan: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan antara tingkat kecukupan energi dan protein serta status ketahanan pangan rumah tangga dengan status gizi anak usia 6-8 tahun.Metode: Penelitian ini menggunakan desain cross sectional dengan sampel sebanyak 62 keluarga yang memiliki anak usia 6-8 tahun yang terdaftar di SDN 1 dan 2 Sambirejo. Pengukuran antropometri tinggi badan dan berat badan digunakan untuk mengetahui status gizi anak. Selain itu, instrumen yang digunakan adalah  formulir 2x24-hours food recall (tingkat kecukupan energi dan protein), dan US-HFSSM (status ketahanan pangan rumah tangga). Statistik uji yang digunakan adalah uji korelasi spearman.Hasil: Hasil dari penelitian ini yaitu terdapat hubungan antara tingkat kecukupan energi (p=0,000) dan protein (p=0,000) serta status ketahanan pangan rumah tangga (p=0,010) dengan status gizi anak.Kesimpulan: Rumah tangga yang rawan pangan akan memiliki risiko mengalami masalah gizi yang lebih tinggi bila dibandingkan dengan rumah tangga yang tahan pangan, sehingga perlu adanya pemberian makanan tambahan kepada anak, terutama kepada anak yang memiliki masalah gizi dan berada pada kondisi rawan pangan. Hal tersebut dimaksudkan untuk memberikan anak tambahan makanan yang bergizi agar menurunkan risiko masalah gizi.

scholarly journals Does Students’ Home Zip Code Relate to Food Insecurity on Campus? Implications of Home Demographics on Food Insecurity in College

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 178-178
Author(s):  
Abigail Sarna ◽  
Jesse Stabile Morrell
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Census Data ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Security Index ◽  
Zip Code

Abstract Objectives To explore the relationship between students’ home zip code demographics and their food security status at a midsized, northeastern university. Methods Data were collected between 2018–2020 from the College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey, an ongoing, cross sectional study at a midsized, public, northeastern university. As part of an online survey (Qualtrics) offered during the 3rd or 4th week of the semester, students completed the 6-item USDA Food Insecurity Questionnaire and provided the zip code associated with their primary residence prior to attending college. Students’ self-reported answers were used to categorize current food security status: food secure, low food secure, or very low food secure. A food security index was created from 13 unique sets of US Census data associated with zip codes. Each zip code was scored by sextiles for each census demographic and summed; final index values were assigned to each reported zip code and ranged from high to low risk of food insecurity (13–78). Results After exclusion of missing data, 687 students were included in the final analysis. The sample of predominantly female (62.0%), white (93.1%), first year (47.7%), and reported a zip code from the home state of the institution (39.9%). The mean food security index (±SD) of reported zip codes was 45.3 ± 8.9. In all, 18.8% reported food insecurity, (5.5% very low food security and 13.2% low food security), and 81.2% reported food security or marginal food security. Food insecurity was highest (21.8%) in students from zip codes most at risk for food insecurity based on the index, however, not significantly different from students from zip codes with the most food secure index score (18.8%). Conclusions Food insecurity among college students has been previously linked to poorer health, grades, and academic retention. More work is needed to elucidate the role of students’ prior place of residence to identify those at greatest risk of experiencing food insecurity on campus. Funding Sources The New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station and USDA National Institute of Food and Agricultural Hatch Project 1010738.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity and Associated Factors Among University Students

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Ukegbu ◽  
Blessing Nwofia ◽  
Uchechi Ndudiri ◽  
Nnenna Uwakwe ◽  
Ada Uwaegbute
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
University Students ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status

Background: Food insecurity is a growing public health issue and a barrier to students achieving adequate nutrition. Data regarding food insecurity among university students in Nigeria are scarce. Objective: The study assessed the prevalence of food insecurity and associated factors among university students, southeast Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 398 randomly selected students recruited from 2 universities in southeast Nigeria was conducted. Food security status was assessed using the 10-item US Household Food Security Scale Module. Anthropometric measurements and sociodemographic data were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with food insecurity. Results: A majority of the students were categorized as food insecure. Of this, about 35.7% and 45.0% were considered to have low and very low food insecurity, respectively. Food insecurity was significantly associated with monthly allowance, daily amount spent on food, and source of income. The odds of food insecurity was significantly higher for students whose fathers were farmers (4.6, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.453-14.737), but lower for those whose mothers were farmers (0.18, 95% CI: 0.059-0.564). Conclusion: The result provides an insight into the food security status of university students in Nigeria. The prevalence of food insecurity was high among the students. Therefore, further studies involving different urban and rural (and/or public and private) universities in Nigeria are suggested in order to have a deeper understanding of the magnitude and contributing factors among this population group.

Food Insecurity in Portugal Among Middle- and Older-Aged Adults at a Time of Economic Crisis Recovery: Prevalence and Determinants

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 504-513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isabel Maia ◽  
Teresa Monjardino ◽  
Brenda Frias ◽  
Helena Canhão ◽  
Jaime Cunha Branco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Household Income ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Skilled Workers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Crisis Recovery

Background: To characterize the scenario of food insecurity in Portugal at a time of economic crisis recovery is of the utmost relevance. Objective: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and to identify the determinants of food insecurity during economic crisis recovery in a population-based urban sample of middle- and older-aged Portuguese adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study including 604 participants of the EPIPorto cohort was conducted. Data on sociodemographic characteristics and on food security status were collected. Food security status was assessed using the US Household Food Security Survey Module: Six-Item Short Form. Logistic regression models, crude and adjusted for sex, age, education, and household income perception, were performed. Results: The prevalence of food insecurity was 16.6%. Women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-3.54), those less educated (OR = 5.46; 95% CI: 2.84-10.46), and those who had the perception of an insufficient household income (OR = 10.39; 95% CI: 5.00-21.56) were more likely to belong to a food insecure household. Unmarried individuals (OR = 1.79; 95% CI: 1.05-3.06) and lower white-collar workers (OR = 2.22; 95% CI: 1.03-4.77) were also more prone to live within a food insecure household, regardless of sex, age, education, and household income perception. Conclusions: The obtained information is valuable for the development of intervention strategies to reduce food insecurity in middle- and older-aged adults, suggesting that women, unmarried, less educated individuals, less skilled workers, and lower income families should be targeted.

scholarly journals Food security status in times of financial and political crisis in Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luna Rezende Machado de Sousa ◽  
Ana Maria Segall-Corrêa ◽  
Arlette Saint Ville ◽  
Hugo Melgar-Quiñonez
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sample Survey ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Political Crisis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Access To Food

This study sought to describe the changes in the food security status in Brazil before and during its most recent financial and political crisis, as well as to explore associations between food security and socioeconomic factors during the crisis. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from two different sources: the Brazilian National Household Sample Survey for 2004 (n = 112,479), 2009 (n = 120,910), and 2013 (n = 116,192); and the Gallup World Poll for 2015 (n = 1,004), 2016 (n = 1,002), and 2017 (n = 1,001). Household food security status was measured by a shorter version of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale, consisting of the first 8 questions of the original 14-item scale. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the changes in food security and their association with socioeconomic factors. Results suggest that during the crisis the percentage of households classified as food secure declined by one third (76% in 2013 to 49% in 2017) while severe food insecurity tripled (4% in 2013 to 12% in 2017). Whereas before the crisis (2013) 44% of the poorest households were food secure, by 2017 this decreased to 26%. Household income per capita was strongly associated with food security, increasing by six times the chances of being food insecure among the poorest strata. Those who reported a low job climate, social support or level of education were twice as likely to be food insecure. Despite significant improvements between 2004 and 2013, findings indicate that during the crisis Brazil suffered from a great deterioration of food security, highlighting the need for emergency policies to protect and guarantee access to food for the most vulnerable.

Food insecurity among college students in West Texas

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (3) ◽  
pp. 738-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda Abu ◽  
Wilna Oldewage-Theron
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Dietary Diversity ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
Meal Planning ◽  
Texas Tech University

Purpose Food insecurity is an evolving nutrition issue affecting both developed and underdeveloped college campuses. The purpose of this paper is to assess food insecurity and related coping strategies among Texas Tech University students. Design/methodology/approach This was a cross-sectional online survey in Lubbock, Texas, among college students (n=173). The outcome measures, socio-demographic factors, household food insecurity access) and dietary diversity were assessed using validated tools. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. Socio-demographic differences in food security status were examined using χ2, and means testing. Risks of student food insecurity were assessed using odds ratios (ORs). Findings Respondents were mostly female (70 percent), non-Hispanic white (58 percent) and young adults’ (median age: 22.0 (20.0, 27.0)), with a median monthly income of $1,000 (0.0, 1,500) and spent about a fifth of their income on food. More students were food insecure (59.5 percent) compared to those who experienced food security (40.5 percent) (p<0.001). Some of the severe food insecure students (16.7 percent) reported going to bed without food (6.9 percent) in the prior 30 days. Students with monthly food budgets of ⩽ $200 were 3.2 times more likely to be food insecure (OR=3.231: CI: 1.353–7.714; p=0.010) compared to those with higher food budgets. A students’ choice of priority monthly expenses was significantly associated with food security status; however, further risk assessment of dichotomous “prioritized food” and “prioritized other expenses” was not statistically significant. Originality/value Student’s food budget of $200 was the strongest determinant of food insecurity. Individual training on money management and meal planning are recommended. University policies should recognize and develop academic support policies addressing competing expenses with food.

Food insecurity is associated with higher-than-normal blood serum copper level

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 2339-2345
Author(s):  
Francis Tayie ◽  
Beibei Xu ◽  
Maureen Timlin ◽  
Ariel Dumars ◽  
Jenna Jackson
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Copper Level ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cu Toxicity ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Food Security Status

AbstractObjective:To determine associations between household food security status and risk of Cu toxicity.Design:A population-level cross-sectional study to determine adult household food security status and its relationship with serum total Cu concentration (serum Cu) using multivariable regression models.Setting:Adult participants in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014.Participants:The NHANES phlebotomy data, a nationally representative sample (n 2780; 1360 men and 1420 women), were analysed.Results:A significantly greater proportion of food-insecure persons had serum Cu that was above the upper value of the normal range (clinical cut-off) compared with their food-secure counterparts. In men, food insecurity (OR = 2·24, P &lt; 0·001) and marginal food security (OR = 1·79, P &lt; 0·001), and in women, marginal food security (OR = 1·82, P = 0·016), associated with greater likelihood to have serum Cu that was above the upper value of the normal range. Food insecurity was significantly associated with greater likelihood (OR = 1·65, P = 0·020) to have serum Cu that was within the upper quartile (≥75th centile).Conclusions:Food-insecure persons associate with higher serum Cu concentration and are at greater risk of Cu toxicity. There is need to study the sources of Cu in general, and specifically in food-insecure persons, to facilitate reduction of Cu exposure. Examining Cu contents of the food and water supplies could explicate any relationships to food insecurity and Cu intake.

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