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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jungwee Park, PhD, Health Statistics, Statistics Canada, 2602 Main Building, Tunney's Pasture, Ottawa, ON K1A 0T6, Canada, 613-951-4598, jungwee.park@statcan.ca, Connie H. Nelson, PhD, School of Social Work, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunduer Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada, and Ariel-Ann Lyons, School of Public Health, Lakehead University, 599 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B 5E1, Canada.

Objective: This article examines presents the prevalence of food insecurity among Canadians aged 12 or older living in households in northern Canada which is defined as all MIZ categories north of the northern transition line. Also, this article examines associations between food insecurity, and socio-demographic, social capital and health factors.

Methods: Estimates were based on data from the 2003 Canadian Community Health Survey. Cross-tabulations were used to estimate the prevalence of food insecurity. Correlates of food insecurity were studied using multiple logistic regression models.

Results: The prevalence rate of food insecurity in the north was significantly higher than that of other parts of the country, 24% vs. 15%. All three indicators of food insecurity such as food anxiety (21.3%), compromised diet (20.3%), and food poverty (18.7%) were higher in the north. Even when other confounding factors were controlled, living in the north still had a significant effect on food insecurity (OR=1.36, 95%CI 1.08~1.72). Besides household income, family characteristics, education, Aboriginal status, social capital were related to food insecurity in northern Canada. Low education and Aboriginal origin were positively associated with food anxiety whereas community belonging was negatively associated with it (OR=0.49, 95%CI 0.25~0.95). Moreover, single parent households, Aboriginal origin, chronic conditions were related to compromised diet. In addition, low education, Aboriginal origin, and single parent households were related to food poverty in the north.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that food insecurity affects almost 1 in every 4 persons in northern Canada and efforts to improve food security should focus on the groups with higher risk such as low income, low education, Aboriginal, and single parent families. Also, consideration of social capital factors such as community belonging can help reduce food insecurity.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• List determining factors of food insecurity.
• Recognize three indicators of food insecurity.
• Develop risk groups of food insecurity in Northern Canada

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No