Understanding Food Insecurity in the USA and Canada: Potential Insights for Europe

2016 ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Craig Gundersen
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
The Usa

scholarly journals Characteristics associated with changes in food security status among college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Soldavini ◽  
Hazael Andrew ◽  
Maureen Berner
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Security Module ◽  
Adult Food

Abstract The prevalence of food insecurity in the USA has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; however, past studies have not examined how the food security status of college students has been impacted. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in the prevalence of food insecurity; determine the proportion of students experiencing a change in food security status; and identify characteristics associated with changes in food security status from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of college students. We administered a cross-sectional online survey to students from a large public university in the Southeastern USA. The 10-item U.S. Adult Food Security Module was used to assess food security status during the spring 2020 semester both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and students self-reported a variety of individual characteristics. The overall prevalence of food insecurity increased by approximately one-third during the spring 2020 semester from before to during the COVID-19 pandemic. When examining the types of changes in food security status experienced by students, 12% improved, 68% stayed the same, and 20% worsened. A variety of characteristics were associated with an improvement or worsening of food security status category from before to during the pandemic. Similar to what is seen in other reports, we found that the overall proportion of college students in our sample experiencing food insecurity increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, some students showed improvements in food security status. Approaches for addressing food insecurity during and beyond the pandemic are needed.

scholarly journals Psychosocial Risk Factors for Food Insecurity in Puerto Ricans Living in the USA from Baseline to 5-Year Follow-Up

2020 ◽  
Vol 150 (8) ◽  
pp. 2199-2203
Author(s):  
Nan Dou ◽  
Dixin Xie ◽  
Xiang Gao ◽  
Natalia Palacios ◽  
Luis M Falcon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Symptom ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Puerto Rican ◽  
Symptom Score ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Psychosocial Risk ◽  
Unit Increase ◽  
The Usa

ABSTRACT Background Food insecurity is prevalent among Puerto Rican adults in the USA and is associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes. However, the direction of this association has not been established in this understudied population. Objectives In this study, we aimed to examine the longitudinal association between a group of psychosocial risk factors and subsequent food insecurity in a cohort of Puerto Rican adults. Methods Secondary analysis was conducted using data from the prospective Boston Puerto Rican Health Study. A total of 517 Puerto Rican participants aged 45–75 y in the Boston area who were food secure at baseline, and who completed food security surveys at baseline and 5 y were included. Psychosocial factors, including depressive symptoms, stress, tangible social support, and acculturation were assessed with validated instruments. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the risk of food insecurity at 5 y, as a function of psychosocial factors at baseline and their changes over 5 y, adjusting for age, sex, education, baseline and change in total annual household income, and in family size. Results The cumulative incidence of food insecurity at 5 y was 12.6%. The odds of incident food insecurity was significantly associated with baseline depressive symptom score [OR = 1.78 (1.16, 2.76) per each 10 score units], with change in depressive symptom score [OR = 1.50 (1.07, 2.09) per each 10-unit increase], and with change in perceived stress [OR = 1.59 (1.01, 2.51) per each 10-unit increase], after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusion In this cohort of Puerto Rican adults, depressive symptoms at baseline, and increases in depressive symptoms and perceived stress over 5 y were associated with a higher risk of food insecurity. Psychosocial health and environment appear to play important roles in predicting risk of food insecurity in the Puerto Rican community.

scholarly journals Everyday Indigenous resurgence during COVID-19: a social media situation report

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 403-405
Author(s):  
Jeff Corntassel ◽  
Robynne Edgar ◽  
Renée Monchalin ◽  
Carey Newman
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Lived Experiences ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Adverse Health Outcomes ◽  
Indigenous Nations ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Indigenous Land

For Indigenous Nations on Turtle Island (Canada and the USA), the onset of COVID-19 has exacerbated food insecurity and adverse health outcomes. This situation report examines ways that Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island have met the challenges of the pandemic in their communities and their daily practices of community resurgence through social media. Drawing on the lived experiences of four Indigenous land-based practitioners, we found that social media can offer new forms of connection for Indigenous peoples relating to our foods, lands, waterways, languages, and our living histories.

scholarly journals Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM) does not support “Public Charge Rule” changes affecting immigrants’ food security

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Young ◽  
Jenny Guadamuz ◽  
Marian Fitzgibbon ◽  
Joanna Buscemi ◽  
Angela Odoms-Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Immigrant Families ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Supplemental Nutrition ◽  
Assistance Programs ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Nutrition Assistance ◽  
Charge Rule

Abstract Federal nutrition assistance programs, especially the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are an important safety net for households in the USA. Although few immigrant households are eligible for SNAP, those who need the program are less likely to participate than nonimmigrant households. Documented barriers to participation include language challenges and anti-immigrant rhetoric. However, previous research indicates that when immigrant households do participate in SNAP, their young children experience less food insecurity and the household as a whole makes fewer tradeoffs between food and other necessities. The Public Charge Rule limits ability to obtain a green card based on participation in public assistance programs. A recent change to this rule added programs to include some noncash programs, including SNAP. Although the vast majority of immigrants who are subject to the Public Charge Rule are not eligible for SNAP, misunderstanding of the rule and fear threaten to reduce SNAP enrollment and consequently increase food insecurity in immigrant families. Spillover effects may occur for families not targeted by changes in the Public Charge Rule as well as decreasing access to other safety net programs that are not impacted by the proposed changes, such as The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and school meals programs. In order to support the food security of immigrant families in the USA, we recommend that the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State remove all non-cash safety net programs from the Public Charge Rule.

Food insecurity, gestational weight gain and gestational diabetes in the National Children’s Study, 2009–2014

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Richards ◽  
Margaret Weigel ◽  
Ming Li ◽  
Molly Rosenberg ◽  
Christina Ludema
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Joint Effect ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Household Food ◽  
The Usa

Abstract Background Household food insecurity (HFI) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are both common during pregnancy, yet it is unknown if these two factors are related. We aimed to determine the independent and joint associations between HFI, gestational weight gain (GWG) and GDM among pregnant women in the USA. Methods We used data from 592 women in the National Children’s Study, Initial Vanguard Study from 2009 to 2014. HFI was assessed using the Household Food Security Survey Module at the first study visit; GDM was assessed through questionnaires and medical chart review. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the exposures of HFI, GWG and their joint effect on GDM. Results Among participants, 20.1% were marginally food secure or food insecure and 7.4% were diagnosed with GDM. The elevated unadjusted association between HFI and GDM was attenuated after adjustment (aOR: 1.12; 95%CI: 0.47, 2.66). There was an elevated risk of GDM associated with inadequate GWG, (aOR: 2.42; 95%CI: 0.97, 6.00), but results were imprecise. There were no statistically significant associations in the joint exposure analysis. Conclusion The relationship between HFI and GDM is mostly explained by other covariates, but there is some evidence that inadequate GWG is a possible risk factor for GDM.

scholarly journals Food insecurity, acculturation and diagnosis of CHD and related health outcomes among immigrant adults in the USA

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 416-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D Smith ◽  
Alisha Coleman-Jensen
Keyword(s):  
Angina Pectoris ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Poor Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Food Security Status ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractObjective:To deepen understanding of the relationship between food insecurity, acculturation, and diagnosis of CHD and related health outcomes among immigrant adults.Design:Using cross-sectional, nationally representative data from the National Health Interview Survey 2011 to 2015, we address two research questions. First, what is the relationship of household food insecurity and acculturation with: CHD, angina pectoris, heart attack, self-rated poor health and obesity? Second, what is the association of food insecurity with these health outcomes over years of living in the USA? We estimate multivariate logistic regressions without (question 1) and with (question 2) an interaction term between food insecurity and acculturation for CHD and related health outcomes.Setting:USA.Participants:Low-income immigrant adults.Results:Food insecurity and acculturation are both associated with diagnosis of CHD and related health outcomes among immigrant adults. Food insecurity and acculturation are associated with the health of female immigrants more than males. Also, the differences by food security status in the probability of having several poor health outcomes (self-rated heath, obesity, women’s angina pectoris) are largest for those in the USA for less than 5 years, decrease for those who have lived in the USA for 5–14 years, and are larger again for those in the USA for 15 or more years.Conclusions:Recent and long-term food-insecure immigrants are more vulnerable to CHD and related health outcomes than those in the USA for 5–14 years. Further research is needed to understand why.

scholarly journals Food insecurity patterns before and after initial receipt of Supplemental Security Income

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 1909-1913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajan A Sonik ◽  
Susan L Parish ◽  
Monika Mitra
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Supplemental Security Income ◽  
Program Participation ◽  
Difference In Difference ◽  
Difference Estimator ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Time Frames

AbstractObjectiveTo assess patterns of food insecurity before and after initial receipt of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.DesignWe analysed data from a nationally representative sample. We estimated two difference-in-difference models comparing food insecurity patterns among eventual SSI recipients with patterns among eligible non-recipients during two time frames. The first model assessed changes in food insecurity immediately before SSI benefits were first received and the second model assessed changes in food insecurity after programme entry.Setting2008 panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation.ParticipantsNon-institutionalized population of the USA.ResultsThe percentage of eventual SSI recipients experiencing food insecurity rose from 18 to 30 % in the year before programme entry, compared with a change from 17 to 18 % for eligible non-recipients. Adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, the difference-in-difference estimator for this comparison was statistically significant (P=0·01). Additionally, the percentage of recipients experiencing food insecurity fell from 28 % in the year before programme entry to 16 % in the year after entry, compared with a change from 16 to 17 % for eligible non-recipients. Adjusting for sociodemographic covariates, the difference-in-difference estimator for this comparison was marginally significant (P=0·07).ConclusionsFood insecurity rises prior to SSI entry but may be alleviated by programme benefits. Greater nutritional supports for SSI applicants awaiting decisions may reduce the burden of food insecurity in this population and improve health outcomes.

scholarly journals Socio-economic, behavioural and environmental factors predicted body weights and household food insecurity scores in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten

2008 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 438-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alok Bhargava ◽  
Dean Jolliffe ◽  
Larry L. Howard
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Early Childhood ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Energy Requirements ◽  
Household Food Insecurity ◽  
Early Childhood Longitudinal Study ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Usa

Recent increases in obesity prevalence among children in developed countries are of policy concern. While significant positive associations between households' food insecurity status and body weights have been reported for adults, it is known from the energy physiology literature that energy requirements depend on BMR, anthropometric measures and physical activity. It is therefore important to model the bi-directional relationships between body weights and households' food insecurity scores especially for children that have evolving nutrient and energy requirements. The present paper estimated dynamic random effects models for children's body weights and BMI, and households' food insecurity scores using longitudinal data on 7635 children in the USA enrolled in 1st, 3rd and 5th grades (1999–2003) of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten. The main findings were, first, physical exercise and numbers of siblings were significantly (P < 0·05) negatively associated with body weights, while households' food insecurity score was not a significant predictor. Moreover, children's body weights were significantly lower in households with higher parental education and incomes; time spent watching television and in non-parental care were positively associated with weights. Second, models for households' food insecurity scores showed that poverty and respondents' poor emotional and physical health significantly increased food insecurity. Moreover, households with children who were taller and heavier for their ages faced significantly higher food insecurity levels. Overall, the results showed that household food insecurity was unlikely to exacerbate child obesity in the USA and it is important that children receive balanced school meals and perform higher physical activity.

scholarly journals Food insecurity and subsequent weight gain in women

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sonya J Jones ◽  
Edward A Frongillo
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Using Data

AbstractObjectiveCross-sectional data indicate that a relationship between household food insecurity and overweight exists among women in the USA. Cross-sectional data cannot determine if food insecurity leads to overweight as some have hypothesised. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship of food insecurity with subsequent weight gain in women using data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID).Design, setting and subjectsPanel data from the 1999 and 2001 PSID, a nationally representative sample of households, were analysed using multivariate regression procedures.ResultsAverage weight gain among all women (n = 5595) was 1.1 kg on average over the two years. There were no significant differences in the percentages of women who gained a clinically significant amount (2.3 kg) by food insecurity status. Overweight women who were on a weight-gain trajectory during the 2-year period gained less if they were food-insecure. This relationship was not observed among healthy-weight or obese women.ConclusionsOverall, food insecurity does not appear to be strongly associated with subsequent weight gain in women.

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