Household characteristics and food insecurity: Improving food access through regional housing and wage structure policies

Household-level characteristics have been shown to be associated with food security but studies among vulnerable populations are sparse. A food security assessment was developed to determine food security and collect sociodemographic and household level data in the rural county of San Luis Obispo County, California. The assessments were administered to vulnerable groups through interviews at 54 sites across the county. Three household characteristics (living situation, number of workers in the household and per capita monthly income) were examined. A total of 808 surveys were collected, 69% in English and 31% in Spanish. Through sequentially adjusted logistic regression models, household characteristics were controlled for sociodemographic, economic and potentially mediating variables. In the fully adjusted model, living situation (own house [ref]; rent 2.17 (95% CI 1.25-3.76), living with others 1.37 (95% CI 0.57-3.29), homeless 4.47 (95% CI 1.51-13.25)) and per capita monthly income ($1001+ [ref], $501-1000 3.23 (95% CI 1.76-5.91), $251-500 4.01 (95% CI 1.91-8.44), up to $250 4.18 (95% CI 1.84-9.52)) were both strongly associated with food insecurity. Number of workers in the household was not associated, indicating employment per se was not protective. Local-level data especially from at-risk groups may guide policies aimed at improving food security better than national-level data. Regional housing authorities could facilitate home ownership as a means of easing the financial burdens of renting. Public policies aiming to curb the prevalence of food insecurity should focus on strategies for improving wage structures and establishing a livable wage versus reducing unemployment alone.