scholarly journals Food Insecurity Is Associated with Depression Among a Vulnerable Workforce: Early Care and Education Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 228-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivory Loh ◽  
Vanessa Oddo ◽  
Jennifer Otten
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Early Care And Education ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
King County ◽  
Early Care ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Primary Model ◽  
Hispanic White

Abstract Objectives The primary objective of this analysis was to explore the association between food insecurity and depression among early care and education (ECE) workers. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected from a study exploring the effects of wage on ECE centers and workers in Seattle and South King County, WA, and Austin, TX. We employed a logistic regression model to investigate the relationship between food insecurity (i.e., six-item U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module) and depression (i.e., Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised). Models controlled for age, marital status, birth country, race/ethnicity, number of children in the household, job title, average paid hours of work per week, highest level of education, total household income, and study site. In two separate models, an interaction term was used to assess whether food assistance participation and wage modified the association between food insecurity and depression. Results Our primary model included 313 ECE workers from 49 ECE centers in Seattle (40%), South King County (26%), and Austin (34%). Majority of participants were female, non-Hispanic White, born in the US, and did not have children. In our primary model, low and very low food insecurity, compared to normal food security, was associated with a 2.69 (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.29, 5.63) and 4.95 (95% CI: 2.29, 10.67) higher odds of depression, respectively. The association between food insecurity and depression did not vary by participation in food assistance program(s) or median site wage. Conclusions Results suggest a dose-response relation between food insecurity and depression among a sample of predominantly female, non-Hispanic white, and low-wage ECE workers. Policies and center-level interventions that address both food insecurity and depression warrant consideration in order to improve the health vulnerable workforce, which ultimately is vital to delivering quality childcare. Funding Sources This research study was supported by a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Evidence for Action grant, as well as a Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development research infrastructure grant awarded to the Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology at the University of Washington.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity Is Associated with Depression among a Vulnerable Workforce: Early Care and Education Workers

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 170
Author(s):  
Ivory H. Loh ◽  
Vanessa M. Oddo ◽  
Jennifer Otten
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Early Care And Education ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Early Care ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
The U.S

Objective: We aimed to explore the association between food insecurity and depression among early care and education (ECE) workers, a vulnerable population often working in precarious conditions. Design: We utilized cross-sectional data from a study exploring the effects of wage on ECE centers. Participants were enrolled between August 2017 and December 2018. Food insecurity was measured using the validated six-item U.S. Household Food Security Survey Module and participants were categorized as food secure (score = 0–1), low food security (score = 2–4), and very low food security (score = 5–6). Depression (defined as a score ≥ 16) was measured using the 20-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-Revised. We employed a logistic regression model to examine the relationship between food insecurity and depression. All models controlled for marital status, nativity, race/ethnicity, number of children in the household, job title, weekly hours of work, education, income, and study site. Setting: Participants were from Seattle (40%) and South King County (26%), Washington, and Austin, Texas (34%). Participants: Participants included 313 ECE workers from 49 ECE centers. Results: A majority of participants were female, non-Hispanic White, born in the U.S., and did not have children. Compared to being food secure, very low and low food insecurities were associated with a 4.95 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.29, 10.67) and 2.69 (95% CI: 1.29, 5.63) higher odds of depression, respectively. Conclusions: Policies and center-level interventions that address both food insecurity and depression may be warranted, in order to protect and improve the health of this valuable, yet vulnerable, segment of the U.S. workforce.

scholarly journals Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education Improves Food Security Independent of Food Assistance and Program Characteristics

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 2636
Author(s):  
Heather A. Eicher-Miller ◽  
Rebecca L. Rivera ◽  
Hanxi Sun ◽  
Yumin Zhang ◽  
Melissa K. Maulding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Program Participation ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Program Delivery ◽  
Linear Regression Modeling ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Food Assistance Program

The purpose of this project was to determine whether consistent food assistance program participation or changes in participation over time mediated or moderated the effect of federal nutrition education through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) on food security and determine the associations of SNAP-Ed program delivery characteristics with change in food security. This secondary analysis used data from a randomized controlled trial from September 2013 through April 2015. SNAP-Ed-eligible participants (n = 328; ≥18 years) in households with children were recruited from 39 counties in Indiana, USA. The dependent variable was one year change in household food security score measured using the United States Household Food Security Survey Module. Assessment of mediation used Barron-Kenny analysis and moderation used interactions of food assistance program use and changes over time with treatment group in general linear regression modeling. Program delivery characteristics were investigated using mixed linear regression modeling. Results showed that neither consistent participation nor changes in food assistance program participation over time mediated nor moderated the effect of SNAP-Ed on food security and neither were SNAP-Ed program delivery characteristics associated with change in food security over the one year study period. SNAP-Ed directly improved food security among SNAP-Ed-eligible Indiana households with children regardless of food assistance program participation and changes over time or varying program delivery characteristics.

Food Assistance Programs and Food Security

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Gundersen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Food Assistance Programs ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Assistance Programs ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

Food insecurity is a leading public-health challenge in the United States today. This is primarily due to the magnitude of the problem—about 50 million persons are food insecure—and the serious negative health and other outcomes associated with being food insecure. This chapter first defines the measure used to delineate whether a household is food insecure. The measure, the Core Food Security Module (CFSM), is based on 18 questions about a household’s food situation. From the responses, a household is defined as food secure, low food secure, or very low food secure, with the latter two categories defined as “food insecure.” I next discuss the extent of food insecurity in the United States across various dimensions, the key determinants of food insecurity, and the multiple negative consequences associated with food insecurity. Two of the key policy tools used to address food insecurity are the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program) and the National School Lunch Program. A brief overview and definition of the eligibility criteria for each program is provided along with a discussion of their respective impacts on food insecurity. This chapter concludes with four major current challenges pertaining to food insecurity and food assistance programs.

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

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.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Food Insecurity and Food Assistance Program Participation among University Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashley Simon ◽  
Keiko Goto ◽  
Ashley Simon ◽  
Jenny Breed ◽  
Stephanie Bianco
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
University Students ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Food Assistance ◽  
Program Participation ◽  
Food Assistance Programs ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Assistance Programs ◽  
Factors Associated

Background and Significance: Food insecurity is an emerging issue among college students. It impacts the lives of many university students due to financial reasons. There is limited information about factors that affect food insecurity in that population. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine factors associated with food insecurity and food assistance program participation among college students. Methods: Food security status was determined using the short form of the USDA’s Food Security Survey Module. Results: Out of 116 students, 50 students (43.1%) were food insecure. Food insecurity was inversely associated with self-reported cumulative grade point averages. Only 24% of food insecure students participated in food assistance programs. Students who were involved in campus activities were significantly more likely to participate in food assistance programs. University-level policies and programs that help students combat food insecurity need to be considered. Conclusion: The inverse association between food insecurity and academic success indicates the importance of addressing food insecurity issues to foster their academic and professional success among university students. More research on strategies for promoting food assistance programs to college students is warranted. © 2018 Californian Journal of Health Promotion. All rights reserved.

scholarly journals Child Compared with Parent Perceptions of Child-Level Food Security

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J Landry ◽  
Alexandra E van den Berg ◽  
Fiona M Asigbee ◽  
Sarvenaz Vandyousefi ◽  
Reem Ghaddar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Parent Perceptions ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Security Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

ABSTRACT Background There is a need to directly and accurately conceptualize and measure food insecurity in children as part of surveillance and public health efforts. Objective The aim of this study was to compare parent and child perceptions of child-level food security status via questionnaires within a large, ethnically diverse population. Methods Cross-sectional baseline data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial involving primarily low-income, Hispanic third- to fifth-grade students and their parents were used for analysis. The sample consisted of 2408 dyadic (parent and child) pairs. Parents completed the 8-item child-referenced Household Food Security Survey Module and their responses were compared with an adaption of the 5-item Child Food Security Assessment completed by their child. Levels of association between child and parent perceptions within dyads were calculated using Goodman and Kruskal's γ statistic. A mixed-effects binomial logistic regression model was used to model discordance as a function of child, parent, and household sociodemographic characteristics. Results The child sample was 53% girls, mean age of 9 y, and 63% were Hispanic. The parent sample was 86% women and 65% Hispanic. Child and parent perceptions of child-level food security agreed only 21.7% of the time. There was a weak positive association between child and parent perceptions of child-level food security (γ = 0.162, P < 0.001). Children perceived themselves as less food secure than their parents’ perception 70.1% of the time. Household receipt of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits was associated with greater odds of discordant food security perceptions, whereas female children, older children, and parents not working were characteristics associated with lower odds of discordant perceptions. Conclusions Results, in combination with the existing literature, suggest that parent perceptions of child-level food insecurity may underestimate child-level food insecurity experiences. Inaccurate estimations or underestimations of the true prevalence of child-level food insecurity could be detrimental to maternal and child health efforts. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02668744.

scholarly journals High food insecurity in Latinx families and associated COVID-19 infection in the Greater Bay Area, California

BMC Nutrition ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Milagro Escobar ◽  
Andrea DeCastro Mendez ◽  
Maria Romero Encinas ◽  
Sofia Villagomez ◽  
Janet M. Wojcicki
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
San Francisco ◽  
Employment Status ◽  
The United States ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Bay Area ◽  
Household Food ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Food insecurity impacts nearly one-in-four Latinx households in the United States and has been exacerbated by the novel coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We examined the impact of COVID-19 on household and child food security in three preexisting, longitudinal, Latinx urban cohorts in the San Francisco Bay Area (N = 375 households, 1875 individuals). Households were initially recruited during pregnancy and postpartum at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) and UCSF Benioff prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. For this COVID-19 sub-study, participants responded to a 15-min telephonic interview. Participants answered 18 questions from the US Food Security Food Module (US HFSSM) and questions on types of food consumption, housing and employment status, and history of COVID-19 infection as per community or hospital-based testing. Food security and insecurity levels were compared with prior year metrics. Results We found low levels of household food security in Latinx families (by cohort: 29.2%; 34.2%; 60.0%) and child food security (56.9%, 54.1%, 78.0%) with differences between cohorts explained by self-reported levels of education and employment status. Food security levels were much lower than those reported previously in two cohorts where data had been recorded from prior years. Reported history of COVID-19 infection in households was 4.8% (95% Confidence Interval (CI); 1.5–14.3%); 7.2% (95%CI, 3.6–13.9%) and 3.5% (95%CI, 1.7–7.2%) by cohort and was associated with food insecurity in the two larger cohorts (p = 0.03; p = 0.01 respectively). Conclusions Latinx families in the Bay Area with children are experiencing a sharp rise in food insecurity levels during the COVID-19 epidemic. Food insecurity, similar to other indices of poverty, is associated with increased risk for COVID-19 infection. Comprehensive interventions are needed to address food insecurity in Latinx populations and further studies are needed to better assess independent associations between household food insecurity, poor nutritional health and risk of COVID-19 infection.

scholarly journals AB0657 PERCEIVED STRESS AND FOOD INSECURITY IN PREGNANT AND POSTPARTUM WOMEN WITH RHEUMATIC DISEASES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1360.3-1361
Author(s):  
L. G. Espinosa Banuelos ◽  
P. R. Ancer Rodríguez ◽  
M. G. Herrera López ◽  
C. M. Skinner Taylor ◽  
L. Pérez Barbosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Rheumatic Diseases ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Perceived Stress Scale ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Household Food

Background:The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has directly impacted the psychological and physical health of individuals worldwide, as well as the global economy. Food insecurity rates have risen especially in vulnerable countries like Mexico. Furthermore, social isolation and economic uncertainty have multiplied depression and anxiety disorders. Pregnant and postpartum women are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity, increased stress, depression, and anxiety.Objectives:The aim of this study is to determine the perception of food insecurity (FI) and perceived stress in pregnant and postpartum women with rheumatic disease during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic.Methods:An observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted. Patients from to the pregnancy and rheumatic diseases clinic of the University Hospital “Dr. José E. González” in Northeast Mexico evaluated between August to October 2020 were included. The Spanish validated versions of the Household Food Security Access Scale (HFIAS) and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) were applied by telephonic interview. The WHO recommendations were employed to determine the appropriate intake for each food group in a week. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to determine normality of the data. The Spearman correlation coefficient and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis.Results:A total of 29 women were included. Six (20.6%) women were found to have moderate or severe degrees of food insecurity. In addition, 12 (40.30%) perceived moderate and severe levels of stress in the PSS-10. No relationship was found between food insecurity and perceived stress (p= 0.059). The food groups that exceeded the recommended weekly frequency were oils and sugars exceeded 3.9 and 2.9 frequencies, respectively.Conclusion:We found that 20.6% women suffered household food insecurity and 40.3% suffered moderate and severe levels of stress. No relationship was found between food insecurity with the HIFAS scale and perceived stress measures with the PSS-10. We found that oils and sugars exceeded more by the double of the recommended frequency per week.References:[1]Pérez-Escamilla R, Cunningham K, Moran VH. COVID-19 and maternal and child food and nutrition insecurity: a complex syndemic. Matern Child Nutr. 2020;16(3):e13036. doi:10.1111/mcn.13036[2]Adams EL, Caccavale LJ, Smith D, Bean MK. Food Insecurity, the Home Food Environment, and Parent Feeding Practices in the Era of COVID-19. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2020;28(11):2056-2063. doi:10.1002/oby.22996Table 1.Socio-demographic characteristics and scale results.Age, years, mean (SD)27.5 (7.03)Diagnosis, n (%)RA16 (55.1)SLE7 (24.4)Others6 (20.6)Results per scalesHFIAS, n (%)No risk13 (44.8)Mild10 (34.4)Moderated3 (10.3)Severe3 (10.3)EPP-10, n (%)Mild17 (58.6)Moderated9 (31.0)Severe3 (10.3)SD: standard deviation, RA: Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE: Systemic lupus erythematosus, HFIAS: Household food security access component scale, EPP-10: Perceived stress scale 10 items.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

scholarly journals Does Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Reduce Food Insecurity among Households with Children? Evidence from the Current Population Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3178
Author(s):  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Yanghao Wang ◽  
Steven T. Yen
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Current Population Survey ◽  
Population Survey ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Program ◽  
Current Population ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
Nutrition Assistance

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is designed to improve household diet and food security—a pressing problem confronting low-income families in the United States. Previous studies on the issue often ignored the methodological issue of endogenous program participation. We revisit this important issue by estimating a simultaneous equation system with ordinal household food insecurity. Data are drawn from the 2009–2011 Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement (CPS-FSS), restricted to SNAP-eligible households with children. Our results add to the stocks of empirical findings that SNAP participation ameliorates food insecurity among adults only, but increases the probabilities of low and very low food security among children. These contradictory results indicate that our selection approach with a single cross section is only partially successful, and that additional efforts are needed in further analyses of this complicated issue, perhaps with longitudinal data. Socio-demographic variables are found to affect food-secure households and food-insecure households differently, but affect SNAP nonparticipants and participants in the same direction. The state policy tools, such as broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE) and simplified reporting, can encourage SNAP participation and thus ameliorate food insecurity. Our findings can inform policy deliberations.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document