scholarly journals Food Insecurity Among DACA Students and Its Perceived Sociocultural, Environmental and Policy Determinants – An Exploratory Study in a Midsized Western US University

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 218-218
Author(s):  
Seth Klobodu ◽  
Marianne Paiva ◽  
Joanna Rodriguez ◽  
Sarahi Calderon

Abstract Objectives Previous research suggests a relationship between food insecurity and college students. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of food insecurity, its determinants, and coping strategies among Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students. Methods Participants were recruited using snowball sampling and private social media platforms in partnership with the Office of Diversity and its affiliate groups on campus. Eighteen DACA students completed the demographic and nutrition survey; eight students agreed to participate in focus groups (FG). A validated 10-item US Adult Food Security Survey was used to assess food insecurity. In the FGs, participants were asked a series of questions about their understanding of food insecurity, the perceived factors associated with food insecurity, and coping strategies and ideas used for improving food security on campus. All data were transcribed and participant identifiers removed. Content analysis was performed to ascertain common codes and themes. Results Thirteen of the 18 participants were identified as food insecure. Major themes that emerged as determinants of food insecurity were ineligibility of DACA students to secure government financial aid that non-DACA students are eligible to apply for while in college, lack of time to prepare meals, and inadequate budgeting skills. Some viewed affordable food as unhealthy, and consequently limited eating to avoid poor quality food. Some students chose to buy other basic needs over buying food. Some participants coped with food insecurity by rationing food while others acknowledged buying less expensive, but poorer quality or unhealthy food. Other participants relied on relatives, food pantries, or shared food among friends and roommates. To reduce food insecurity, participants recommended increasing nutrition education and financial literacy education for DACA students on university campuses. Increasing availability of scholarships, stipends, and paid internships are also important options. Conclusions Food insecurity and its impact is prevalent among this sample of students. This study suggests that the unique immigration status of DACA students contributes to their food insecurity. Funding Sources Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity Award, CSU Chico.

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. Smith ◽  
Chandra R. Story ◽  
Korissa C. Hobbs ◽  
Tyler Bos ◽  
Garvita Thareja

Food insecurity is a serious public health problem among college students, negatively affecting academic performance and health outcomes. The primary objective of the study involved the exploration of the potential association between food insecurity and carotenoid scan levels. Additionally, the association between food insecurity and coping strategies utilized was investigated. A Qualtrics survey and BioPhotonic Scanner™ were utilized to conduct an exploratory cross-sectional study with students from a mid-size four-year university (n=410). The USDA food security definitions and assessment tools were used for categorization. More than 31% percent of participants were classified as food insecure, with 5.1% considered very low and 26.6% low food security. A statistically significant factor associated with food insecurity was ethnicity (OR= .19). Other factors included: skipped buying textbooks to buy food (OR=.09), avoided buying expensive foods like fruits and vegetables (OR=.24), stretched food by limiting (OR= .09), removed spoiled parts from fruits and vegetables (OR= .73). Carotenoid scan scores were not associated with food insecurity. Coping strategies are often used by food insecure students and should be further examined to pinpoint promising strategies.


2021 ◽  
pp. 097300522110352
Author(s):  
Wondim Awoke ◽  
Kefale Eniyew ◽  
Belete Meseret

In Ethiopia, food insecurity is a major problem, which affects the livelihood of rural communities. Hence, this study was conducted in Central and North Gondar Zones with the main aim of analysing causes and coping strategies of food insecurity. Primary data were collected through an interview schedule, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A total of 500 sample respondents were selected through a systematic sampling technique. Data were analysed through simple descriptive statistics and a chi-square test. Frequently used coping strategies by sample respondents were planting early maturing crop (82.4%), turning to low-quality and cheaper foodstuff (81.2%), changing cropping pattern (78.6%), sale of livestock (75.6%) and purchasing food on cash 75.0%. Sex, educational status, fertiliser utilisation, livelihood diversification and off-farm activities had an association and significant with a food security status of sample respondents at p ≤ 0.01. Furthermore, farmland and on-farm were significantly associated with food security status at 0.01 < p ≤ 0.05 and 0.05 < p ≤ 0.10, respectively. To ensure food security, different organisations that support rural households should be aware of peak food insecurity seasons. Moreover, due attention should be paid to practical-oriented education and training to diversify the household’s livelihood.


Author(s):  
Leisa McCarthy ◽  
Anne Chang ◽  
Julie Brimblecombe

Evidence on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ food security experiences and coping strategies used when food insecurity occurs is limited. Such evidence is important to inform policies that can reduce the consequences of food insecurity. This study investigated factors perceived by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families with young children to influence household food security, and coping strategies used, in an urban setting. A qualitative research inductive approach was used. Data were collected through an iterative process of inquiry through initial interviews with 30 primary care-givers, followed by in-depth interviews with six participants to further explore emerging themes. Major topics explored were: influencing factors, food insecurity experiences, impact on food selection, and coping strategies. Food affordability relating to income and living expenses was a major barrier to a healthy diet with large household bills impacting food choice and meal quality. Access to family support was the main reported coping strategy. Food insecurity is experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, it is largely intermittent occurring especially when large household bills are due for payment. Family support provides an essential safety net and the implications of this are important to consider in public policy to address food insecurity.


Author(s):  
Adegoroye, Ademola ◽  
Olutumise, Adewale Isaac ◽  
Aturamu, Oluyede Adeleke

This study examined the food security status and coping strategies to food insecurity of rural arable crop farming households in Ondo State, Nigeria. Primary data were used and a multistage sampling procedure was used to select 150 respondents. Food Security Index (FSI), Probit regression model and Coping Strategy Use Index (CSUI) were employed to carry out the analysis. The empirical findings revealed that (54%) of rural arable crop farming households in the study area were food secure based on the recommended minimum calorie of 2260Kcal. Furthermore, the empirical analysis revealed that gender of the household head, household size, farm size and farm income of the household head had significant influence on the household food security status. The most widely employed coping strategy was withdrawal from personal savings as indicated by 14.82 percent of household and while reliance on less expensive food and purchasing food on credit were ranked second and third respectively with 13.66 and 12.85 percent by the food insecure households. In other to ensure sustainable food security among the households, the study recommended effective household size management, and enlightenment programmes on family planning in the study area. Farmers should increase their farm sizes. Farmers should use more inputs and technologies to increase output. Farmers should also be encouraged to have additional source of income towards attaining food security in the study area.


2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 414-425
Author(s):  
Ridwan MUKAILA ◽  
Abraham FALOLA ◽  
Olubunmi Abayomi OMOTESHO

Food insecurity remains a major challenge worldwide, especially among the rural areas of developing nation. Women and children are most vulnerable to this phenomenon. However, while many studies have assessed farming households’ food security status in general, there is dearth of information on vegetable farmers’, who are mostly women, food security status in particular. This study, therefore, investigated the food security status of vegetable farming households, its drivers and coping strategies in Kwara State, Nigeria. Descriptive statistics, food insecurity index and logistic regression were used to analysed data collected from 180 respondents. The findings showed that food insecurity remains a major challenge in rural areas as only 45.55% were food secure. The food secure group surpassed the food security line by 17%. Food insecure group fell below the food security line by 36% with a daily average calorie intake of 1581.35 kcal. Annual income (p< 0.1), cooperative membership (p< 0.1), vegetable production (p< 0.05) and access to credit (p< 0.05) were the significant factors enhancing their food security status, while household size (p< 0.01) negatively influenced it. The widely used food insecurity coping mechanisms by the households were eating less expensive food, eating wild fruits, reducing rational consumption, allowing children to eat first, borrowing money to buy food, buying food on credit and skipping meal within a day. The study recommends encouragement of vegetable production through provision of credit facilities to the farmers as this would enhance their food security status.


2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 718-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhubaneswar Sabar

This paper explores the food insecurity level and coping strategies of two particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) in India. It finds that despite the availability of resources, limited income always becomes a proxy for their food vulnerability because they cannot purchase food items outside state programmes. These groups traditionally adopt various coping strategies to overcome food insecurity at household level and these have become a structure and behaviour for ensuring food security


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e048738
Author(s):  
Phuong Hong Nguyen ◽  
Shivani Kachwaha ◽  
Anjali Pant ◽  
Lan M Tran ◽  
Sebanti Ghosh ◽  
...  

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has profound negative impacts on people’s lives, but little is known on its effect on household food insecurity (HFI) in poor setting resources. This study assessed changes in HFI during the pandemic and examined the interlinkages between HFI with child feeding practices and coping strategies.DesignA longitudinal survey in December 2019 (in-person) and August 2020 (by phone).SettingCommunity-based individuals from 26 blocks in 2 districts in Uttar Pradesh, India.ParticipantsMothers with children <2 years (n=569).Main outcomes and analysesWe measured HFI by using the HFI Access Scale and examined the changes in HFI during the pandemic using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests. We then assessed child feeding practices and coping strategies by HFI status using multivariable regression models.ResultsHFI increased sharply from 21% in December 2019 to 80% in August 2020, with 62% households changing the status from food secure to insecure over this period. Children in newly or consistently food-insecure households were less likely to consume a diverse diet (adjusted OR, AOR 0.57, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.95 and AOR 0.51, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.12, respectively) compared with those in food-secure households. Households with consistent food insecurity were more likely to engage in coping strategies such as reducing other essential non-food expenditures (AOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.09 to 4.24), borrowing money to buy food (AOR 4.3, 95% CI 2.31 to 7.95) or selling jewellery (AOR 5.0, 95% CI 1.74 to 14.27) to obtain foods. Similar findings were observed for newly food-insecure households.ConclusionsThe COVID-19 pandemic and its lockdown measures posed a significant risk to HFI which in turn had implications for child feeding practices and coping strategies. Our findings highlight the need for further investment in targeted social protection strategies and safety nets as part of multisectoral solutions to improve HFI during and after COVID-19.


2006 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 212-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sue Booth

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine the food sources and acquisition practices used by homeless youth in Adelaide. This work is part of a larger study that aimed to examine the extent and nature of food insecurity among homeless youth.DesignCross-sectional design involving quantitative and qualitative methods.SettingFour health and welfare inner-city agencies serving homeless youth in Adelaide, South Australia.SubjectsA sample of 150 homeless youth aged between 15 and 24 years recruited from these agencies. Fifteen were selected via snowball sampling for interview.ResultsUse of welfare food sources was high (63%). Food from welfare agencies was supplemented by unorthodox food acquisition methods such as theft (65%), begging for money for food (61%), begging for food items (44%) and asking for help from friends and relatives (34%). Reasons given for non-usage of welfare food services included affordability, access, being too busy, shame or embarrassment.ConclusionsFood insecurity is a salient issue for some homeless youth in Adelaide. Clarifying food acquisition practices of food-insecure homeless youth is essential for rational planning and improvement of food-related services to meet their needs. Such an understanding also underpins the development of broader public policy responses that improve individual and household skills and resources to acquire food and ensure food security. Nutrition professionals, welfare professionals and policy-makers need to work sensitively with welfare food agencies and others to improve food access and food security for homeless youth.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1103-1111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria L Mayer ◽  
Kevin McDonough ◽  
Hilary Seligman ◽  
Nandita Mitra ◽  
Judith A Long

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the relationship between food insecurity and coping strategies (actions taken to manage economic stress) hypothesized to worsen glucose control in patients with diabetes.DesignUsing a cross-sectional telephone survey and clinical data, we compared food-insecure and food-secure individuals in their use of coping strategies. Using logistic regression models, we then examined the association between poor glucose control (glycated Hb, HbA1c≥8·0 %), food insecurity and coping strategies.SettingAn urban medical centre, between June and December 2013.SubjectsFour hundred and seven adults likely to be low income (receiving Medicaid or uninsured and/or residing in a zip code with >30 % of the population below the federal poverty level) with type 2 diabetes.ResultsOf respondents, 40·5 % were food insecure. A significantly higher percentage of the food-insecure group reported use of most examined coping strategies, including foregone medical care, participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)) and use of emergency food programmes. Food insecurity was associated with poor glucose control (OR=2·23; 95 % CI 1·22, 4·10); coping strategies that were more common among the food insecure were not associated with poor glucose control. Among the food insecure, receipt of SNAP was associated with lower risk of poor glucose control (OR=0·27; 95 % CI 0·09, 0·80).ConclusionsWhile food insecurity was associated with poor glucose control, most examined coping strategies did not explain this relationship. However, receipt of SNAP among food-insecure individuals was associated with better diabetes control, suggesting that such programmes may play a role in improving health.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document