141st APHA Annual Meeting

In This section

282505
Urban very low food-secure families experience similar demands, but have fewer assets to adapt compared to other food –insecure families

Monday, November 4, 2013 : 11:10 AM - 11:30 AM

Sonya Jones, Ph.D. , Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC
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
Carrie Draper, MSW , 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
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
Angela Liese, PhD , Center for Research in Nutrition and Health Disparities, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Bethany A. Bell, PhD , Educational Studies, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Lauren Martini, MPH , Epidemiology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
The US has set a goal of eliminating very low food insecurity in children (VLFSC) by 2015, but little is known about why some families experience VLFSC. The Family Adjustment, Adaptation, and Response model provides a framework for examining the potential differences between VLFSC and other food-insecure families. We hypothesized that VLFSC is associated with more crises, greater demands, and fewer assets. The Midlands Family Study used in-person surveys to investigate household and community conditions associated with VLFSC. Using the Household Food Security Scale, we compared VLFSC (n=100) families to other food insecure (n=108) families. Caregivers were recruited from randomly selected food systems sites (e.g., food pantries, CACFP day cares, farmers' markets) in Columbia, SC. Using logistic regression, we calculated the odds a family was classified as VLFSC compared to FI using valid and reliable measures of demands and assets. VLFSC families experienced more crises in the past year than other FI. Demands, such as bills, homelessness, and domestic violence were not significantly different in VLFSC. VLFSC families reported statistically significantly (p<0.05) reduced odds of having assets, such as $500 in monthly income (OR=0.82), family support (0.85), and their child participating in a summer feeding program (OR=0.52). Families experiencing VLFSC are similar to other food insecure families but have fewer assets to manage crises. Policies to improve wages, increase access to summer feeding programs, and allow families to remain in communities with extended family support are important for eliminating VLFSC.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Describe risk factors for very low food security in children.

Keywords: Food Security, Federal Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the principal investigator of this study and previous studies of food insecurity.
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.