5115.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - Board 9

Abstract #15922

Food Insecurity in Urban Latino Families

Noel Chavez, PhD, RD, LD, Community Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, 2035 W. Taylor, MC 923, Chicago, IL 60612, 312-996-0747, nchavez@uic.edu and Sharon Telleen, PhD, Health Policy and Administration, University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, 2035 W. Taylor, MC923, Chicago, IL 60612, N/A, N/A.

Latinos as a group have lower incomes yet participate in fewer food programs than do other low income groups, and thus may be particularly vulnerable to food insecurity. As part of a larger study of Latino family health care access, behavior, attitudes and practices, data were collected on food program participation, knowledge of community resources and food insecurity risk in 250 families as their children were entering elementary school. Methods: Face to face interviews with caregivers were conducted by bilingual/bicultural interviewers; most interviews were completed in Spanish. The NHANESIII food security questions were used to assess food security; knowledge of other food sources and program participation were also assessed. Results: Only 17% of the participants currently participated in any (governmental) food assistance programs. Nearly 29% of the participants reported that they ‘sometimes' or ‘often didn't have enough to eat', and nearly 70% reported worrying about whether food would run out before they got more. Forty-four percent knew of a neighborhood food resource if they had no money, with 13% using pantries, 13% churches, 5 % soup kitchens, and 9% relatives. Thirty-five percent of all participants knew of a neighborhood food pantry, and 32% knew of a church that served meals. About 30% reported they had received food from a pantry at some time. Discussion: While overt hunger wasn't widely reported for either the caregivers or their children, family food insecurity was problematic for these Latinos. They knew and used some community resources, but remain vulnerable to food insecurity.

Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will have greater knowledge of the scope of food insecurity in an urban Latino population. 2. Participates will have greater comprehension of the scope of factors influencing food insecurity in this group

Keywords: Food Security, Latinos

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none - not applicable
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA