Understanding food insecurity in the summer among African American children in rural Missouri

INTRODUCTION: Pemiscot County, Missouri has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the state with 1 in 4 households with children identified as food insecure. Rates for African American children tend to be disproportionately higher. Food insecurity during childhood is associated with poor health and developmental outcomes. Summer is a vulnerable time for households with children, particularly those living in rural communities. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that affect summer food insecurity among African American children in a rural area and determine potential points of intervention. METHODS: Structured focus group interviews were conducted with 23 African American caregivers of school-aged children at risk of food insecurity. Participants were recruited from summer food programs and after school programs in Pemiscot County, Missouri. Focused coding was used to analyze interviews for factors influencing whether kids had enough to eat in the summer. RESULTS: Participants identified intrapersonal (e.g., income), interpersonal (e.g., help from relatives), community (e.g., availability of food pantries) and policy (e.g., SNAP allotment) factors associated with food insecurity among rural African American children in the summer. DISCUSSION: Lessons learned from this study will inform programmatic and policy interventions that address food insecurity among rural African American children during the summer.