Risk and protective factors associated with food security and eating behaviors among vulnerable American Indian families

Statement of Purpose: Food insecurity exists when families have limited or uncertain access to enough nutritious food. American Indians have the highest food insecurity rates in the United States. Recently, several studies have reported findings on the paradoxical association between food insecurity and obesity in children. Little is known, however, about the mechanism connecting the two among American Indian reservation populations – which have unique historical and geographical factors. We wish to better understand this mechanism by identifying risk and protective factors associated with food security and eating behaviors among vulnerable American Indian families with young children. Methods: We conducted a single cross-sectional survey among heads of households with young children (ages 0-5) who received emergency food supplies and education materials from the Menu for Life service project in 4 southwestern American Indian reservation communities. Results: 29% of children and 45% of adults from households participating in the survey were classified as ‘food insecure,' according to United States Department of Agriculture definitions. Multivariate regression analyses are ongoing and will be presented to describe associations between food insecurity and eating behaviors (e.g., frequency of fast food consumption, frequency of family meals), and other potential risk and protective factors (e.g., caregivers' demographic characteristics, experience with food banks and food stores, and reported decision-making factors and challenges in attaining healthy foods). Conclusions: Findings from this survey will ultimately be used to address a leading health disparity among American Indian communities by informing intervention development for the prevention of hunger and promotion of nutrition.