Lifetime racial discrimination and risk of household very low food security

Introduction –To achieve the USDA's goal of eliminating very low food security (VLFS), a better understanding of the factors that distinguish VLFS from low food security (LFS) is needed. Historical and contemporary racial discrimination produce inequalities in housing, education, and food access, which all can decrease food security; yet, the association between racial discrimination and food security has not been explicitly examined. Using cumulative inequality theory and a food justice framework, we investigated the association between lifetime racial discrimination and food security status. Methods – Survey data were obtained from a predominantly African-American sample (n=143/175) in SC. Participants were classified as VLFS or LFS based on the USDA Household Food Security Survey; they answered demographic questions and the Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire (PEDQ) which uses 17 items to measure lifetime racial discrimination (Cronbach's α =0.91). We dichotomized the response to each item and summed across all items. Using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression, we examined the association between lifetime racial discrimination and VLFS. Results – Seventy three percent of the sample experienced discrimination (mean PEDQ 4.6, SD PEDQ 4.9) and 67% were VLFS. In the logistic regression, after adjusting for demographic information, a one standard deviation difference in the PEDQ was associated with a 46% increased odds (p= 0.045) of being VLFS. Discussion –Among a VLFS and LFS sample, those with increased reports of lifetime racial discrimination were more likely to be VLFS. Addressing racial discrimination in the context of food security and food justice may reduce VLFS.