scholarly journals The Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Food Insecurity in Poland

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanna Dudek ◽  
Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Social Program ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
The Impact

While food insecurity (FI) has been extensively studied in many countries, there have been few empirical contributions in Poland to date. The main objective of our research was to identify the socio-demographic factors affecting the risk of FI in Poland within 2014–2019. Moreover, we aimed to examine the effects of the family-oriented social program “Family 500+” by comparing the situation in various types of households with children a few years before and after the program was launched. The analysis was based on the set of eight-item FI indicators adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization using the Gallup World Poll nationally representative survey data. Based on our results the most vulnerable groups in the context of FI were identified. We confirmed the importance of education, gender, age, marital status, household composition, status of employment and income in preventing FI. The effectiveness of the support program in reducing FI was demonstrated as households with at least three children experienced significant improvement in the FI status during the studied years. These findings should be especially important in the context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on FI. As FI can affect the quality and quantity of food choices it is associated with a poorer health status, which increases the risk of infection, including COVID-19, and worsens recovery prognosis. Planning an efficient response to the pandemic requires a comprehension of the increased risk of exposure experienced by people, especially those who are food insecure.

scholarly journals Profiles of Food Insecurity: Similarities and Differences across Selected CEE Countries

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 5070
Author(s):  
Hanna Dudek ◽  
Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak ◽  
Agnieszka Wojewódzka-Wiewiórska
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Food And Agriculture Organization ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Logistic Regressions ◽  
Different Characteristics ◽  
The Impact

Food security (FS) is influenced by primarily financial but also sociodemographic factors. Identification of correlates of food insecurity (FI) is a crucial issue in the context of achieving sustainable development goals. The aims of the study were: (1) to recognize FI in the selected Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries, (2) to examine common socioeconomic and demographic characteristics for FI. The analysis used the set of eight-item FI indicators adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organization, applying the Gallup World Poll survey data from 2017 to 2019. Multinomial logistic regressions were used to examine FI at mild and moderate or severe levels compared with FS. Differences in the profiles of FI were observed in analyzed countries: Poland, Lithuania and Slovakia. Lithuanians experienced the lowest FS, and Slovaks the highest. The FI status was associated with education, gender, age, household composition and income. It was found that the impact of these factors was not the same in the examined countries. Differences in profiles of FI in CEE countries indicate the need to analyze the problem individually for each country. Identifying groups particularly vulnerable to FI may allow appropriate targeting of instruments counteracting FI and adapt them to people with different characteristics.

scholarly journals Risk of Low Birth Weight According to Household Composition in Brussels and Montreal: Do Income Support Policies Variations Explain the Differences Observed between Both Regions?

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7936
Author(s):  
Mouctar Sow ◽  
Myriam De Spiegelaere ◽  
Marie-France Raynault
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Income Support ◽  
Welfare Benefits ◽  
Number Of Children ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
Vulnerable Households ◽  
Welfare Families ◽  
The Impact

Variations in social policy between countries provide opportunities to assess the impact of these policies on health inequities. This study compares the risk of low birth weight in Brussels and Montreal, according to household composition, and discusses the impact of income support policies. For each context, we estimated the impact of income support policies on the extent of poverty of welfare recipients, using the model family method. Based on the differences found, we tested hypotheses on the association between low birth weight and household composition, using administrative data from the birth register and social security in each region. The extent of poverty of welfare families differs according to household composition. In Quebec, the combination of low welfare benefits and larger family allowances widens the gap between households with children and those without children. The risk of LBW also differs between these two contexts according to the number of children. Compared to children born into large welfare families, first-born children are more at risk in Montreal than in Brussels. In addition to the usual comparative studies on the topic, our study highlights the importance of an evaluative perspective that considers the combination of different types of income support measures to better identify the most vulnerable households.

scholarly journals Sex Differences in the Association Between Food Insecurity and Obesity Among College Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 181-181
Author(s):  
Aseel El Zein ◽  
Karla Shelnutt ◽  
Sarah Colby ◽  
Geoffrey Greene ◽  
Wenjun Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
High Food ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess the association between food insecurity and obesity and to examine whether it varies by sex. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in spring 2017 among college students from eight U.S. institutions. Participants (n = 683) completed the USDA Adult Food Security Survey and had their weight and height measured by researchers. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the sex-specific associations between food insecurity and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), after adjusting for socioeconomic covariates. Results Overall, 25.4% of students identified as food insecure and 10.5% were obese. The prevalence of obesity increased as the level of food insecurity increased, from 5.2% for those with high food security, 13.4% for those with marginal food security, to 17.4% and 21.6% for students with low and very low food security. In logistic regression analysis, marginal, low and very low food security students had an odds ratio of 2.83 (95% CI: 1.43, 5.57), 3.86 (95% CI: 1.88, 7.91), and 5.05 (95% CI:, 2.44, 10.48) of obesity compared to students with high food security, exhibiting a dose-response relationship. Among females, having marginal (OR = 4.21, 95% CI: 1.70, 9.75), low (OR = 4.51, 95% CI: 1.40, 12.47), or very low food security (OR = 7.08, 95% CI: 2.60, 18.41) predicted higher odds of obesity compared to female students with high food security. Among males, those with low food security had higher odds of obesity (OR = 6.40, 95% CI: 1.78, 20.7). Conclusions The association between food insecurity and obesity in U.S. college students remained after adjustment for multiple socio-economic factors. Overall, food insecure females experienced an increase in the risk of obesity as food insecurity increased; however, only males with low food security had an increased risk of obesity. Programs directed toward obesity prevention need to address any level of food insecurity as a risk factor in females, and target males with low food security. Although beyond the scope of this study, it is possible that programs to reduce food insecurity may help prevent obesity in college students. Funding Sources This material is based upon work that is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number 2014–67,001-21,851.

scholarly journals Accessibility of summer meals and the food insecurity of low-income households with children

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (11) ◽  
pp. 2079-2089 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel P Miller
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
California Health Interview Survey ◽  
Lower Probability ◽  
Geographic Accessibility ◽  
Households With Children ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Low Income Households

AbstractObjectiveAlmost no previous research has examined the impact of the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Summer Food Service Program and related Seamless Summer Option, which provide meals and snacks to low-income children over the summer. The present study investigated whether geographic accessibility of summer meals programme sites (a proxy for programme participation) was associated with food insecurity for low-income households.DesignThe study used data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) and administrative data on summer meals sites in California. Geocoding was used to calculate driving time between CHIS households and nearby summer meals sites. Geographic accessibility was measured using a gravity model, which accounted for the spatially distributed supply of and demand for summer meals. Food insecurity and very low food security were measured using a standard six-item measure from the USDA.SubjectsLow-income families with children (n5394).SettingA representative surveillance study of non-institutionalized households in California.ResultsGeographic accessibility was not associated with food insecurity. However, geographic accessibility was associated with a significantly lower probability of very low food security in the full sample and among households with younger children and those living in less urban areas.ConclusionsThe USDA’s summer meals programme may be effective at reducing the most severe form of food insecurity for low-income households with children. Expanding the number of summer meals sites, the number of meals served at sites and sites’ hours of operation may be effective strategies to promote nutritional health over the summer months.

Obesity and hunger present dual challenges in Mexico

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Fortified Milk ◽  
New Public ◽  
President Elect ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Impact

Subject Food security and obesity. Significance President-elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) announced on August 16 that his government would set up a new public body dedicated to food security. Mexican Food Security (Segalmex) will merge two existing state companies that sell subsidised food in deprived areas and distribute fortified milk to vulnerable groups. AMLO’s announcement was followed by the release on September 11 of a UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report showing that while 11.3 million Mexicans were severely food insecure in 2015-17, 24.3 million adults were obese in 2016, up from 20.5 million in 2012. Impacts Boosting local production may be insufficient to reduce the country’s reliance on imported foodstuffs. The OECD estimates that 40% of Mexicans could be obese by 2030, exacerbating pressures on the public health system. Failure to address obesity will have financial costs owing to the impact of associated illnesses such as diabetes on worker productivity.

scholarly journals Impact of the Social Café Meals program: a qualitative investigation

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Allen ◽  
Jacklin O'Connor ◽  
Emily Amezdroz ◽  
Pieta Bucello ◽  
Hannah Mitchell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Social Exclusion ◽  
Qualitative Evaluation ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Evaluation Approach ◽  
Current Program ◽  
Community Contribution ◽  
The Impact

Social Café Meals Programs aim to reduce food insecurity and social exclusion by providing participants access to subsidised meals in mainstream local cafés. This study aimed to explore the program’s ability to address social exclusion and food insecurity and the impact of the program on the community. A qualitative evaluation approach was utilised whereby in-depth interviews were conducted with café owners, café staff and current program members of two Social Café Meals Programs operating in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Twelve program members and six café staff completed an in-depth interview at the local cafés. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis approach focusing on the lived experience of the café owners, staff and program members. Four key themes were identified. The program (i) improved food access for vulnerable groups and (ii) created community cohesiveness. (iii) The café environment was important in facilitating program use by community members. (iv) Café owners felt rewarded for their community contribution via the program. Social Café Meals Programs may provide a solution to improving food security and reducing social exclusion and may be considered as a strategy for improving nutrition and social health for at-risk and vulnerable groups.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity and Mental Health Outcomes among Low Income, Minority Cohorts during the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sai Kodukula ◽  
Amy Han
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Anecdotal Evidence ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
The Impact

Objective:   To examine the impact of the COVID-19 shutdowns on food insecurity and mental health outcomes among low income, minority communities in Northwest Indiana.    Methods:   Surveys were distributed to 160 households during the Northwest Indiana food bank distribution hours to assess food security mental health status. The survey assessed participant food security through questions adapted from the USDA food security survey module. Participant anxiety, depression, and stress scores were aggregated from questions adapted from the PHQ-4. A multiple logit regression model was utilized to estimate the risk associated with food security status and the surveyed variables. Anecdotal evidence was also collected to understand pandemic specific factors impacting participant food security.     Results:   Food insecurity was linked to significantly increased risk of anxiety, depression and stress. Those who identify to be food insecure have an 811 % increased risk of anxiety, 411% increased risk of depression, and 535% increased risk of stress compared to those who are food secure. In addition, a significant correlation exists between median household income and poor mental health. Anecdotal evidence identifies poor job security, food distributions, and support networks as exacerbating factors towards participant’s declining mental health.     Conclusions:   Our findings highlights the exacerbated impact the pandemic has had on the food security and mental health of vulnerable populations. In the light of these results and anecdotal feedback, public health measures must focus on getting increased funding towards local food banks to increase the frequency of mobile distribution markets coupled with direct subsidies to allow for food purchases, especially for those households with children. Given its impact on mental health, food insecurity status should regularly be screened by physicians access to the right resources must be provided for those screening as high risk.   

scholarly journals Effects of family income and conditional cash transfers on household food insecurity: evidence from a longitudinal study in Northeast Brazil

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 756-767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poliana A Palmeira ◽  
Rosana Salles-Costa ◽  
Rafael Pérez-Escamilla
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Cash Transfers ◽  
Conditional Cash Transfers ◽  
Cash Transfer ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Northeast Brazil ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjective:Food insecurity (FI) is a challenge to policy makers worldwide, who need to understand which polices and programmes are effective at overcoming FI. The present study aimed to examine the impact of family income and conditional cash transfers on changes in household FI status in a highly vulnerable municipality in Northeast Brazil.Design:A population-based longitudinal cohort study among families in a municipality in the semi-arid area in Northeast Brazil (2011 and 2014). FI was estimated with the Brazilian Household Food Insecurity Measurement Scale (EBIA). The effects of family income and cash transfer on changes in FI were estimated using logistic regression models and the population-attributable risk fraction.Setting:Households in Cuité, Paraíba, Brazil.Participants:Household respondents interviewed in 2011 (n 358) and 2014 (n 326).Results:There was a reduction in FI prevalence of 17·5 % across time; 24·5 % of families who were food insecure in 2011 became food secure in 2014. After adjustment, families that did not experience an increase in their total household income or a reduction in the cash transfer amount were at increased risk of persistent FI across time. If the cash transfer programme had not been in place, about 10 % of the families that switched from food insecure to food secure across time would have remained in FI instead.Conclusions:The decrease of FI occurred in an area of extreme climatic and social vulnerability. These changes were more related to the cash transfer than the increase in family income over time.

scholarly journals Older Adults Living With Food Insecurity: The Impact on Psychological Health

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 378-378
Author(s):  
Robina Sandhu ◽  
Victoria Marshall ◽  
Carolyn Becker ◽  
Lisa Kilpela ◽  
Keesha Middlemass
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Traumatic Event ◽  
Weight Stigma ◽  
Male Gender ◽  
Self Report ◽  
The Past ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Food insecurity (FI) refers to inadequate access to nutritious foods, either in terms of quality or quantity. In older adults, FI is associated with functional impairment, isolation, financial vulnerability, lower quality of life, and poorer health (e.g., diabetes, cardiovascular disease; Fernandes, et al). The effects of FI on psychological health broadly, however, have not been well-documented among older adults. This study sought to examine the impact of FI severity on psychological health indices among older adults. Older adult clients of local food pantries completed self-report measures of FI severity, worry, internalized weight stigma, trauma history, and eating disorder (ED) symptoms/behaviors. Participants (N=124, aged 66+) included: 68.5% women, 67.7% Hispanic, 75.8% □high school education, 51.0% household income < $10,000/year. Controlling for gender in all analyses, results indicated that FI severity predicted increased worry (p < .001, 21.9% variance), greater internalized weight stigma (p = .04, 3.9% variance), and a trend for increased risk for lifetime traumatic event exposure (OR = 1.4, 95% CI [.98, 2.01]). Regarding ED symptoms, male gender (OR = 6.60, 95% CI [1.96, 22.23] and higher FI severity predicted risk for self-induced vomiting in the past month (OR = 2.5, 95% CI [1.15, 5.36], risk for laxative/diuretic use for weight control (OR = 2.16, 95% CI [1.03, 4.52], and greater dietary restraint (p < .001, 16.1% variance). Male gender was associated with higher risk for binge eating in the past month (OR = 3.19, 95% CI [1.10, 9.24], while FI severity was not. Implications will be discussed.

scholarly journals Food Insecurity Pre- and Post the COVID-19 Pandemic and Economic Crisis in Lebanon: Prevalence and Projections

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2976
Author(s):  
Samer Kharroubi ◽  
Farah Naja ◽  
Marwa Diab-El-Harake ◽  
Lamis Jomaa
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Economic Crisis ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Food Systems ◽  
Work Force ◽  
Economic Crises ◽  
Sociodemographic Correlates ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Evidence Based Programs ◽  
The Impact

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had serious repercussions on the global economy, work force, and food systems. In Lebanon, the pandemic overlapped with an economic crisis, which threatened to exacerbate food insecurity (FI). The present study aims to evaluate the trends and projections of FI in Lebanon due to overlapping health and economic crises. Data from Gallup World Poll (GWP) 2015–2017 surveys conducted in Lebanon on nationally representative adults (n = 3000) were used to assess FI trends and explore its sociodemographic correlates. Predictive models were performed to forecast trends in FI (2018–2022), using GWP data along with income reduction scenarios to estimate the impact of the pandemic and economic crises. Pre crises, trend analyses showed that FI could reach 27% considering wave year and income. Post crises, FI was estimated to reach on average 36% to 39%, considering 50–70% income reduction scenarios among Lebanese population. FI projections are expected to be higher among females compared to males and among older adults compared to younger ones (p < 0.05). These alarming findings call for emergency food security policies and evidence-based programs to mitigate the burden of multiple crises on the FI of Lebanese households and promote resilience for future shocks.

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