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

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.

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Food insecurity among Iraqi refugees living in Lebanon, 10 years after the invasion of Iraq: data from a household survey

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114514000282 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 112 (1) ◽

pp. 70-79 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Hala Ghattas ◽

AnnieBelle J. Sassine ◽

Karin Seyfert ◽

Mark Nord ◽

Nadine R. Sahyoun

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Household Survey ◽

Housing Quality ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Iraqi Refugees ◽

Number Of Children ◽

Household Food ◽

Invasion Of Iraq

Iraqi refugees in Lebanon are vulnerable to food insecurity because of their limited rights and fragile livelihoods. The objective of the present study was to assess household food insecurity among Iraqi refugees living in Lebanon, almost 10 years after the invasion of Iraq. A representative survey of 800 UN High Commissioner for Refugees-registered refugee households in Lebanon was conducted using multi-stage cluster random sampling. We measured food insecurity using a modified US Department of Agriculture household food security module. We collected data on household demographic, socio-economic, health, housing and dietary diversity status and analysed these factors by food security status. Hb level was measured in a subset of children below 5 years of age (n 85). Weighted data were used in univariate and multivariate analyses. Among the Iraqi refugee households surveyed (n 630), 20·1 % (95 % CI 17·3, 23·2) were found to be food secure, 35·5 % (95 % CI 32·0, 39·2) moderately food insecure and 44·4 % (95 % CI 40·8, 48·1) severely food insecure. Severe food insecurity was associated with the respondent's good self-reported health (OR 0·3, 95 % CI 0·2, 0·5), length of stay as a refugee (OR 1·1, 95 % CI 1·0, 1·2), very poor housing quality (OR 3·3, 95 % CI 1·6, 6·5) and the number of children in the household (OR 1·2, 95 % CI 1·0, 1·4), and resulted in poor dietary diversity (P< 0·0001). Anaemia was found in 41 % (95 % CI 30·6, 51·9) of children below 5 years of age, but was not associated with food insecurity. High food insecurity, low diet quality and high prevalence of anaemia in Iraqi refugees living in Lebanon call for urgent programmes to address the food and health situation of this population with restricted rights.

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Household Food Insecurity in Southeastern Iran: Severity and Related Factors

International Journal of Food Science ◽

10.1155/2017/7536024 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

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.

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Individual and household influences on food security and dietary diversity in seven Dominican batey communities

International Health ◽

10.1093/inthealth/ihy080 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 272-282 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Conor M McWade ◽

Sheau-Chiann Chen ◽

Fei Ye ◽

Douglas C Heimburger ◽

Troy D Moon ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Poverty Line ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Food Groups ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Household Food ◽

Multivariable Analyses

Abstract Background To identify individual and household characteristics associated with food security and dietary diversity in seven Haitian–Dominican bateyes. Methods A cross-sectional sample of 667 households were surveyed. Novel household food security scores were calculated from components of the Household Food Insecurity Assessment Scale, while the Food and Agricultural Organization’s Household Dietary Diversity Score was utilized to calculate individual dietary diversity scores. Multivariable analyses were performed using ordinal logistic regression models to estimate the association between these scores and the covariate variables. Secondary dietary diversity analyses were performed after removing non-nutritious food groups. Results Food security was significantly associated with being above the poverty line (OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.92 to 5.14), living in a rural batey (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.03), receiving gifts and/or donations (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.03 to 3.00) and having a salaried job (i.e., not being paid hourly; OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.05 to 2.64). Dietary diversity was significantly associated with living in a semi-urban batey (OR 1.70, 95% CI 1.26 to 2.30), living with a partner (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.00), growing at least some of one’s own food (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.23), and receiving gifts and/or donations (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.73). Conclusions Food insecurity and low dietary diversity are highly prevalent in Haitian–Dominican bateyes. The inclusion of sweets and non-milk beverages in dietary diversity calculations appear to skew scores towards higher levels of diversity, despite limited nutritional gains.

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Household access to traditional and indigenous foods positively associated with food security and dietary diversity in Botswana

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s136898001700369x ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 21 (6) ◽

pp. 1200-1208 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Salome Nduku Kasimba ◽

Boitumelo Stokie Motswagole ◽

Namukolo Margaret Covic ◽

Nicole Claasen

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Dietary Diversity ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Household Food ◽

Food Security And Nutrition ◽

Indigenous Foods

AbstractObjectiveTo determine access to traditional and indigenous foods (TIF) and the association with household food security, dietary diversity and women’s BMI in low socio-economic households.DesignSequential explanatory mixed-methods design, including a random household cross-sectional survey on household food insecurity access (HFIA), household dietary diversity (HDD) and women’s BMI, followed by focus group discussions.SettingTwo rural and two urban areas of Botswana.SubjectsPersons responsible for food preparation or an adult in a household (n400); for BMI, non-pregnant women aged 18–49 years (n253).ResultsAlmost two-thirds of households experienced moderate or severe food insecurity (28·8 and 37·3 %, respectively), but more than half of women were overweight or obese (26·9 and 26·9 %, respectively). Median HDD score was 6 (interquartile range 5–7) out of a total of 12. A positive correlation was found between number of TIF accessed and HDD score (r=0·457;P<0·001) and a negative correlation between number of TIF accessed and HFIA score (r=−0·272;P<0·001). There was no correlation between number of TIF accessed and women’s BMI (r=−0·066;P=0·297). TIF were perceived as healthy but with declining consumption due to preference for modern foods.ConclusionsTIF may potentially have an important role in household food security and dietary diversity. There is need to explore potential benefits that may be associated with their optimal use on food security and nutrition outcomes.

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Food Insecurity and Associated Factors in the Portuguese Population

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/156482651403500401 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. S395-S402 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Luísa Álvares ◽

Teresa F. Amaral

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Low Income ◽

Short Form ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

National Health Survey ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Portuguese Population ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Socioeconomic And Demographic Factors

Background The burden of food insecurity in Portugal, and the socioeconomic and demographic factors that are related to this condition, are unknown. Objective To evaluate the frequency of food insecurity and to identify its associated characteristics in the Portuguese population. Methods Data from 3,552 heads of family respondents of the 2005/06 Portuguese National Health Survey were analyzed in a cross-sectional study. Food insecurity was evaluated with the use of the US Department of Agriculture Household Food Security Survey Module 6-Item Short Form. Chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression models were conducted. Significance was indicated at p < .05. Results Among the respondents, 16.5% were food insecure and 3.5% had very low food security. The odds of being food insecure were highest for women (OR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.20 to 1.91), smokers (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.02), younger people (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.69 to 3.80), unemployed people (OR, 3.04; 95% CI, 2.01 to 4.60), those with lower education (OR, 7.98; 95% CI, 4.73 to 13.49), and those with lower income (OR, 6.27; 95% CI, 4.23 to 9.30). Conclusions The present study explored for the first time the burden of food insecurity in Portugal, revealing that it was highly prevalent, affecting one in six Portuguese citizens. Low education and low income were the main factors associated with food insecurity.

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Caregivers’ Knowledge and Food Accessibility Contributes to Childhood Malnutrition: A Case Study of Dora Nginza Hospital, South Africa

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph182010691 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (20) ◽

pp. 10691

Author(s):

Pamela Clarke ◽

Mthokozisi Kwazi Zuma ◽

Ayuk Betrand Tambe ◽

Liana Steenkamp ◽

Xikombiso Gertrude Mbhenyane

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Economic Status ◽

The Body ◽

Household Food Security ◽

Contributing Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Household Food

Amongst the problems facing South Africa today are malnutrition and food insecurity, and there is a need for interventions and innovative strategies to address these. The aim of the study was to determine the contribution of caregivers’ knowledge of nutrition and household food security among children aged 0 to 60 months. A cross-sectional study design was applied using a quantitative approach. A convenience sample (n = 184) of caregiver–child pairs (for children 0 to 60 months) from the Dora Nginza Hospital Paediatric Outpatient Department was used. A structured questionnaire was applied to collect data on socio-economic factors, health status, household food security, and caregivers’ knowledge. In addition, interviews were conducted, and anthropometric measurements of children were taken to determine their nutritional status. The results indicate that most caregivers were female, and more than half completed high school, yet almost 75% were unemployed. Most of the caregivers (58.2%) were either overweight or obese. The results also show that only 33.2% of households were food secure, 29.3% were at risk of hunger, and 37.5% experienced hunger. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting among children in the study was high. A significant, slightly positive correlation was found between the body mass index of the caregiver and height for age. Poor socio-economic status and food inaccessibility were identified as possible underlying contributing factors to malnutrition, contributing to food insecurity and therefore poor dietary intake.

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

Amerta Nutrition ◽

10.20473/amnt.v1i3.6245 ◽

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.

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

Amerta Nutrition ◽

10.20473/amnt.v1i3.2017.189-197 ◽

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.

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Burden of food insecurity in older adults from diverse global settings: policy recommendations

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.311 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

C Pirkle ◽

N Peltzer ◽

S Câmara ◽

J Gomes ◽

A Ylli

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Food Security ◽

Food Insecurity ◽

Latin American ◽

Living Arrangement ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Household Food Security ◽

International Mobility ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Middle Income

Abstract Food insecurity prevalence is highest in low and middle-income countries, yet there is a dearth of research on the burden in older adults in these settings. Food insecurity has long-term consequences for the health of older persons. We examined cross-sectional food security data from 1,482 participants in the 2016 wave of the longitudinal International Mobility in Aging Study (IMIAS) conducted in Canada, Albania, Colombia, and Brazil. These are community samples between 68 and 79 years. Food security was assessed with the Latin American and Caribbean Household Food Security Scale and recoded to yes/no. Covariates of interest included sex, site, income, living arrangement, and education. Descriptive statistics, with tests of statistical significance, were used. Responses to scale items varied from 10% of participants reporting worry about running out of food and being unable to eat healthy foods to 2% reporting not eating for a whole day or having to beg for food. Food insecurity in the sample was 17%. Few Canadian respondents (<5%) were food insecure, compared to 30% in Tirana, 28% in Manizales, and 18% in Natal. Better educated and income sufficient respondents were significantly more food secure than lesser educated, lower income ones. Respondents living with spouses were significantly less likely to be food insecure than those living alone or in other arrangements (e.g. with children). The exception was Tirana; 25% of those in other arrangements were food insecure compared to 32% living with a spouse and 44% alone. Food insecurity did not differ significantly by age or sex. Site, income, living arrangement, and education were all associated with food insecurity status. Study findings contribute to a significant gap in literature about food security in older adults. Because food insecurity in older adults leads to negative health outcomes, results suggest specific interventions to improve health and reduce burden on healthcare systems is needed for elderly. Key messages Food insecurity has severe health consequences for elderly and location, income, education, and living arrangement contributes to health inequalities in this population across diverse settings. Little to no research has been done on food insecurity in elderly outside of North America and study findings contribute to significant gap in research in this population across global settings.

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