Exploring the Relationship Between Attendance at USDA Summer Food Service Program Sites and Baseline Household Food Security Status: Results from the Project SWEAT Study

Abstract Objectives Explore the relationship between attendance at USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sites and baseline household food security status. Methods Two elementary schools in low-income urban neighborhoods of Columbus, OH were recruited. Families with children at these schools in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth were invited to participate. Caregivers completed a demographic survey at the end of school year 1 (baseline [t0]). Household food security was assessed at t0 using the USDA 6-item Short Form Food Security Module and based on responses participants were categorized as living in high marginal food security (HMFS), low food security (LFS), or very low food security (VLFS) households. Child attendance at USDA SFSP sites was collected via weekly text messages to caregivers using the online TextIt© platform. ANOVA was conducted to determine differences in attendance level by household food security status. Results 113 children representing 78 families enrolled. Mean age was 7.10 ± 0.21 yr, 79.65% were African American, 72.73% were low-income, and mean annual income was $28,222. Approximately 27% of families (n = 21) reported living in LFS (n = 10, 14.82%) or VLFS (n = 11, 12.10%) households. Overall mean attendance at summer programming was 10.40 ± 1.43 days (out of 50 possible days) and attendance by household food security status was 10.51 ± 1.61 (HMFS), 19.00 ± 6.15 (LFS), and 5.70 ± 2.85 (VLFS) days with a significant difference (P = 0.04) between LFS and VLFS households. Conclusions Children in VLFS (vs HMFS and LFS) households, who are at increased risk for hunger during the summertime window of risk, are attending sites offering the USDA SFSP least frequently. Future research and programmatic efforts should be targeted at children from the most vulnerable households to ensure food security during the summertime window of risk. Funding Sources USDA NC-NECE.

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Soup kitchen users' social representations of healthy eating associated with their household food security status

Revista de Nutrição ◽

10.1590/1678-98652016000200007 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 229-240

Author(s):

Isabel Cristina BENTO ◽

Fernanda Martins SOBRINHO ◽

Mery Natali Silva ABREU ◽

Maria Flávia GAZZINELLI ◽

Simone Cardoso Lisboa PEREIRA

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Low Income ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Social Representation ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Household Food ◽

Food Security Status ◽

Food And Nutrition ◽

Belo Horizonte

Objective: To verify whether what users of soup kitchens in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, think about a healthy diet and the challenges they face to eat healthy are associated with their household food security status. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 1,656 users of soup kitchens in Belo Horizonte. Socioeconomic and household food security data, and healthy-eating discourses were collected by a semi-structured questionnaire. The data were submitted to descriptive analyses for constructing frequency distribution tables, and to univariate analysis. Discourse analysis was based on the social representation theory. Results: To cut, reduce, avoid, not eat, eat less, and decrease carbohydrates, salt, meats, various beverages, and other foods are the most frequent changes (71.4%) that food-secure users have made or intend to make. Food-insecure users intended to eat more fruits, non-starchy vegetables, and other foods (34.4%). The main obstacles food-secure and food-insecure users face to adopt a healthier diet are lack of time (82.9%) and low income (53.5%), respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: What users of soup kitchens in Belo Horizonte think about food and the obstacles they face to adopt a healthier diet are related to their household food security status. The results provide valuable data for effective proposals of food and nutrition education, which should act on the producers of subjectivity in this group and consider this group's food and nutrition security status.

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Household Food Security Status Is Associated with Anemia Risk at Age 18 Months among Low-Income Infants in Massachusetts

Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics ◽

10.1016/j.jand.2016.06.008 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 116 (11) ◽

pp. 1760-1766 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Elizabeth Metallinos-Katsaras ◽

Rachel Colchamiro ◽

Sari Edelstein ◽

Elizabeth Siu

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Low Income ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Household Food ◽

Food Security Status

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The Relative Reinforcing Value of Cookies Is Higher Among Head Start Preschoolers With Obesity

Frontiers in Psychology ◽

10.3389/fpsyg.2021.653762 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Sally G. Eagleton ◽

Jennifer L. Temple ◽

Kathleen L. Keller ◽

Michele E. Marini ◽

Jennifer S. Savage

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Individual Differences ◽

Head Start ◽

Low Income ◽

Reward Sensitivity ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Child Characteristics ◽

Household Food ◽

Food Security Status ◽

Reinforcing Value

The relative reinforcing value (RRV) of food measures how hard someone will work for a high-energy-dense (HED) food when an alternative reward is concurrently available. Higher RRV for HED food has been linked to obesity, yet this association has not been examined in low-income preschool-age children. Further, the development of individual differences in the RRV of food in early childhood is poorly understood. This cross-sectional study tested the hypothesis that the RRV of HED (cookies) to low-energy-dense (LED; fruit) food would be greater in children with obesity compared to children without obesity in a sample of 130 low-income 3- to 5-year-olds enrolled in Head Start classrooms in Central Pennsylvania. In addition, we examined individual differences in the RRV of food by child characteristics (i.e., age, sex, and reward sensitivity) and food security status. The RRV of food was measured on concurrent progressive-ratio schedules of reinforcement. RRV outcomes included the last schedule reached (breakpoint) for cookies (cookie Pmax) and fruit (fruit Pmax), the breakpoint for cookies in proportion to the total breakpoint for cookies and fruit combined (RRV cookie), and response rates (responses per minute). Parents completed the 18-item food security module to assess household food security status and the Behavioral Activation System scale to assess reward sensitivity. Pearson’s correlations and mixed models assessed associations between continuous and discrete child characteristics with RRV outcomes, respectively. Two-way mixed effects interaction models examined age and sex as moderators of the association between RRV and Body Mass Index z-scores (BMIZ). Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Children with obesity (17%) had a greater cookie Pmax [F (1, 121) = 4.95, p = 0.03], higher RRV cookie [F (1, 121) = 4.28, p = 0.04], and responded at a faster rate for cookies [F (1, 121) = 17.27, p < 0.001] compared to children without obesity. Children with higher cookie response rates had higher BMIZ (r = 0.26, p < 0.01); and RRV cookie was positively associated with BMIZ for older children (5-year-olds: t = 2.40, p = 0.02) and boys (t = 2.55, p = 0.01), but not younger children or girls. The RRV of food did not differ by household food security status. Low-income children with obesity showed greater motivation to work for cookies than fruit compared to their peers without obesity. The RRV of HED food may be an important contributor to increased weight status in boys and future research is needed to better understand developmental trajectories of the RRV of food across childhood.

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Does Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Contribute to Household Food Security? An Assessment of the Food Security Status of Households in Tongaat, eThekwini Municipality

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su11041082 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 1082 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Nolwazi Khumalo ◽

Melusi Sibanda

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Access ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Arable Land ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Probit Regression ◽

Household Food ◽

Food Security Status ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Food Shortages

Regardless of the steady increase in the economic growth of South Africa, poverty levels and food insecurity have not declined as one would have anticipated. Urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) presents an opportunity as a livelihood strategy to alleviate poverty and ensure household food security within the urban and peri-urban spheres. However, less research has been done in this area to discover the contribution of UPA on households’ food security. This paper assesses the food security status of households that practised any form of UPA activities (later on referred to the rest of this paper as UPA practising households) and those that did not (later on referred to the rest of this paper as non-UPA practising households) within the Tongaat peri-urban area of eThekwini Municipality. The specific objectives of the paper are to estimate the household food security status of the UPA practising households vis-à-vis the non-UPA practising households and to elicit the reasons associated with the practice of UPA activities. Two hundred and eight (208) households (that is 109 and 99 UPA and non-UPA practising households respectively) were selected using a stratified random sampling procedure. The Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) and Household Food Insecurity Access Score (HFIAS) measures were employed to estimate a household’s food security status. A probit regression analysis was used to elicit the reasons associated with the practice of UPA activities by households. A non-parametric independent samples test (Mann-Whitney U) was used to compare whether there were significant differences between the two groups. A Pearson Chi-Square test reveals that the employment status, access to arable land, land tenure (ownership rights or arable land) and household monthly income variables were statistically significantly associated with the food security status (in terms of HDDS) of households. The results from the HDDS tool, show that a greater proportion (54%) of the UPA practising households consumed >6 food groups (deemed to be food secure in terms of dietary access) as compared to their counterparts, the non-UPA practising households (40%) in the same food group. However, the Mann-Whitney U test (U = 5292, p = 0.808) show that there was no significant difference from this data in terms of the dietary diversity (HDDS) of the two groups. The HFIAS measure reveal that a greater proportion (about 72%) of the UPA practising households indicated that they never or rarely worried about food shortages (deemed to be food secure in terms of food access) as compared to their counterparts—the non-UPA practising households (about 61%) that never or rarely worried about food shortages. The Mann-Whitney U test (U = 4118.5, p = 0.001) show that there was a significant difference in terms of food access (HFIAS) of the two groups. Overall, the results show that although UPA practising households seemed to be better off in terms of food access as compared to the non-UPA households, the results are inconclusive or show no evidence that a significant difference existed concerning dietary diversity of the two groups. The probit regression analysis shows that the variable arable land size (p = 0.000) has a positive correlation with the practice of any UPA activity. In order for UPA to enhance the household food security status (particularly in terms of dietary diversity) within the peri-urban spheres, an integrated approach (with agricultural land support from government and city planners) together with the diversification of high-value UPA activities by households is paramount.

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SNAP Participation Moderates the Association Between Household Food Insecurity and A1c Among Cambodian Americans With Depression

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab035_013 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 105-105

Author(s):

Angela Bermudez-Millan ◽

Richard Feinn ◽

Chelsey Hahn ◽

Shanjida Arbie Jui ◽

S. Megan D. Berthold ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Health Workers ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Household Food Insecurity ◽

Assistance Program ◽

Cambodian Americans ◽

Household Food ◽

Food Security Status ◽

Significant Difference

Abstract Objectives We tested whether participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) moderated the relation between household food security status and HbA1c, the gold standard measure of glycemic control, among Cambodian Americans with depression enrolled in a diabetes prevention trial. Methods Participants had elevated risk factors for type 2 diabetes and elevated depressive symptoms; recruits were excluded for extant diabetes. Community health workers assessed household food security status and SNAP participation via in-person interview. HbA1c levels from venous blood samples were ascertained using direct enzymatic assay. Results Among respondents (n = 189), 19% were food insecure, 41% received SNAP benefits, and mean HbA1c = 5.5%. There was a significant interaction between SNAP and food insecurity. HbA1c was highest among participants without SNAP who were food insecure. Simple effects analysis revealed a significant difference within the no SNAP group [Mean (SD) HbA1c: Secure = 5.38 (0.38), Insecure = 5.78 (0.36)] and no difference within the SNAP group [Secure = 5.61(0.44), Insecure = 5.61(0.55)]. Differences remained significant after controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical indicators. Conclusions SNAP may protect against the deleterious association between household food insecurity and elevated HbA1c. Funding Sources R01-DK103663 to Dr. Julie Wagner.

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Household food security status is associated with anemia risk at 18 months among low income infants in Massachusetts (805.12)

The FASEB Journal ◽

10.1096/fasebj.28.1_supplement.805.12 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 28 (S1) ◽

Author(s):

Elizabeth Metallinos‐Katsaras ◽

Elizabeth Siu ◽

Rachel Colchamiro

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Low Income ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Household Food ◽

Food Security Status

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Household food insecurity and associated socio-economic factors among recent Syrian refugees in two Canadian cities

BORDER CROSSING ◽

10.33182/bc.v10i2.1161 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 203-214

Author(s):

Lina Al-Kharabsheh ◽

Samer Al-Bazz ◽

Mustafa Koc ◽

Joe Garcia ◽

Ginny Lane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Low Income ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Household Food Insecurity ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Security Model ◽

Syrian Refugees ◽

Household Food ◽

Significant Difference

In Canada, the prevalence of food insecurity is high among low-income households, particularly recent refugees. We evaluated the prevalence of food security among recent Syrian refugees and the associated factors in two Canadian cities, Toronto and Saskatoon. We collected data using the Household Food ‎Security Model, sociodemographic and socioeconomic questionnaires from 151 families. 84% of the Syrian households were food insecure, with no significant difference in prevalence between Saskatoon and Toronto. The risk of food insecurity was four ‎times higher for households with the annual income below $40,000. Households with educated woman (high school or higher) had four times higher risk of household food insecurity compared to families with less-educated women. ‎Our findings indicate the high prevalence of food insecurity among recently resettled Syrian refugees in Canada. Higher-income directly associated with food security. The inverse association between education and food security in households with highly educated women warrants further investigation.

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Acculturation Is Related to Diet Quality in Phoenix Preschoolers, Controlling for Food Insecurity (P04-048-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz051.p04-048-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Marisa Gutierrez ◽

Kimberly Fine ◽

Meg Bruening ◽

Corrie Whisner ◽

Rebecca Lee

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Family Income ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Maternal Child Health ◽

Household Food ◽

Food Security Status ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Objectives To examine the relationship between acculturation and diet quality of preschoolers in the Phoenix area. There is little research on how the dietary intake of preschoolers outside of the home is impacted by parental acculturation in food secure and insecure households. Methods This study was a cross-sectional secondary data analysis of the SAGE (Sustainability via Active Garden Education) research project. SAGE provides education on gardening, physical activity, and nutrition to preschoolers in Phoenix, AZ. Preschoolers (Mean age 53.1 + 3.5 mos; n = 154) were recruited from early care and education centers (ECEC). Acculturation was evaluated using a parent-report validated survey on a scale of 1–5 (1 = low acculturation). Parents also reported sociodemographic variables (child sex, age, ethnicity, and family income) and household food security status (dichotomized as food secure or insecure). Meals were observed by trained research staff at the ECEC for one full day (breakfast, lunch, snack) and recorded using the Nutrition Data System for Research. Linear regressions examined the relationship between acculturation and diet quality (total kcal, fruits, vegetables, saturated fat, added sugar intake) adjusting for sociodemographics and household food security status. Results A total of 78.6% of preschoolers in this study were Hispanic. Of the 154 children, 52.6% and 47.4% were male and female, respectively. The mean acculturation score was 3.0 + 1.3 with 41.8% of the sample being food insecure. Higher acculturation was significantly associated with increased vegetable (β = 0.095, P = 0.028) and saturated fat intake (β = 1.001, P = 0.018). Acculturation trended an association with increased kcal intake (β = 47.475, P = 0.053). Conclusions Results suggest parent acculturation is associated with healthy and unhealthy eating habits in preschoolers outside of the home regardless of food security status. When evaluating diet quality of preschoolers, acculturation needs to be assessed to promote improved health behaviors, especially in relation to saturated fat and vegetable intake. Funding Sources This study was funded by the Maternal Child Health Bureau and the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health.

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Prevalence and Correlates of Food Insecurity among Students Attending a Small, Rural Canadian University

Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research ◽

10.3148/cjdpr-2018-004 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 79 (3) ◽

pp. 125-128 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Erica Reynolds ◽

Christine Johnson ◽

Jennifer A. Jamieson ◽

Hannah Mawhinney

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

University Students ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Low Income ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Potential Health ◽

Web Based ◽

Household Food ◽

Food Security Status ◽

Academic Implications

Purpose: University students may be at risk for food insecurity (FI) due to low income coupled with rising tuition, housing, and food costs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FI and potential correlates among students at a small, rural Canadian university. Methods: Health Canada’s 10-item household food security survey module (HFSSM) was adapted to assess food security status within the postsecondary student population. An additional 11 items measured food access and demographics. The validated, web-based survey was distributed by email and completed by 218 students (15.6% response rate). Participants were classified as food secure, moderately food insecure, or severely food insecure using the HFSSM Adult scale. Results: An overall FI rate of 37.2% was observed. This included 25.7% moderately food insecure and 11.5% severely food insecure. Students in higher years of study and who lived off campus had higher rates of FI. Conclusions: FI appears to be a significant concern for university students and has potential health and academic implications. Further research is needed to clarify the determinants and extent of FI for postsecondary students and to develop strategies to mitigate the prevalence and effects of food insecurity in these young adults.

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