141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

281528
Lifetime racial discrimination and risk of household very low food security

Monday, November 4, 2013

Michael Burke, M.P.H. , Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior; Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
Sonya Jones, Ph.D. , Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
Edward Frongillo, Ph.D. , Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior; Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
Christine Blake, Ph.D., R.D. , Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior; Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
Maryah Fram, Ph.D. , College of Social Work; Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Darcy A. Freedman, Ph.D. , College of Social Work; Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
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.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the association between lifetime racial discrimination and food security status. Demonstrate how cumulative inequality theory and and a food justice framework can link observed associations between lifetime racial discrimination and food security status.

Keywords: Food Security, Social Inequalities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I conceptualized the project, collected the data, conducted the data analysis, and was the primary author of the results. In addition, I am completing my Ph.D. in community health and I have extensive training in researching the negative effects of food insecurity on health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.