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Ooi KS, Abdul Jalal MI, Wong JY, Choo MY, Kamruldzaman NA, Lye CW, Lum LCS. The Prevalence and Determinants of Child Hunger and Its Associations with Early Childhood Nutritional Status among Urban Poverty Households during COVID-19 Pandemic in Petaling District, Malaysia: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Survey. Nutrients 2023; 15:2356. [PMID: 37242239 PMCID: PMC10222894 DOI: 10.3390/nu15102356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Child hunger was prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the extent, determinants, and impact on pre-school children aged 6 months to 7 years old from Malaysian urban poor households are still unknown. This exploratory cross-sectional study was performed between July 2020 and January 2021 at the Lembah Subang People Housing Project, Petaling. The households' food security status was assessed using the previously validated Radimer/Cornell questionnaire, and the children's anthropometric measurements were taken. Food diversity score was assessed using the World Health Organization Infant and Young Children Feeding (under-2 children) or Food and Agriculture Organization Women's Dietary Diversity (2-year-old-and-above children) systems. Overall, 106 households were recruited. The prevalence of child hunger is 58.4% (95% CI: 50.0, 67.4). Significant differences were found in breastfeeding and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption between under-2 and ≥2-year-old children. There were no significant differences between child hunger and other food-insecure groups in weight-for-age, height-for-age, and weight-for-height z-scores. Only a higher dietary diversity score was significantly protective against child hunger after adjusting for maternal age, paternal employment status, and the number of household children (ORadjusted: 0.637 (95% CI: 0.443, 0.916), p = 0.015)). Proactive strategies are warranted to reduce child hunger during the COVID-19 pandemic by improving childhood dietary diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Shen Ooi
- Department of Paediatrics, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur 59100, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Irfan Abdul Jalal
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), UKM Medical Centre, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia
| | - Jing Yuan Wong
- Department of Paediatrics, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur 59100, Malaysia
| | - Minn Yin Choo
- Department of Paediatrics, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur 59100, Malaysia
| | | | - Chuan Way Lye
- Department of Public Health, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur 59100, Malaysia
| | - Lucy Chai See Lum
- Department of Paediatrics, University Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur 59100, Malaysia
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Varela EG, McVay MA, Shelnutt KP, Mobley AR. The Determinants of Food Insecurity Among Hispanic/Latinx Households With Young Children: A Narrative Review. Adv Nutr 2023; 14:190-210. [PMID: 36811589 PMCID: PMC10103006 DOI: 10.1016/j.advnut.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Food insecurity has disproportionately impacted Hispanic/Latinx households in the United States, specifically those with young children. Although the literature provides evidence of an association between food insecurity and adverse health outcomes in young children, minimal research has addressed the social determinants and related risk factors associated with food insecurity among Hispanic/Latinx households with children under three, a highly vulnerable population. Using the Socio-Ecological Model (SEM) as a framework, this narrative review identified factors associated with food insecurity among Hispanic/Latinx households with children under three. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and four additional search engines. Inclusion criteria consisted of articles published in English from November 1996 to May 2022 that examined food insecurity among Hispanic/Latinx households with children under three. Articles were excluded if conducted in settings other than the US and/or focused on refugees and temporary migrant workers. Data were extracted (i.e., objective, setting, population, study design, measures of food insecurity, results) from the final articles (n = 27). The strength of each article's evidence was also evaluated. Results identified individual factors (i.e., intergenerational poverty, education, acculturation, language, etc.), interpersonal factors (i.e., household composition, social support, cultural customs), organizational factors (i.e., interagency collaboration, organizational rules), community factors (i.e., food environment, stigma, etc.), and public policy/societal factors (i.e., nutrition assistance programs, benefit cliffs, etc.) associated with a food security status of this population. Overall, most articles were classified as "medium" or higher quality for the strength of evidence, and more frequently focused on individual or policy factors. Findings indicate the need for more research to include a focus on public policy/society factors, as well as on multiple levels of the SEM with considerations of how individual and policy levels intersect and to create or adapt nutrition-related and culturally appropriate interventions to improve food security of Hispanic/Latinx households with young children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elder Garcia Varela
- Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant, Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Megan A McVay
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Karla P Shelnutt
- Department of Family, Youth & Community Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Amy R Mobley
- Department of Health Education and Behavior, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Johnson CM, Sharkey JR, Umstattd Meyer MR, Gómez L, Allicock MA, Prochnow T, Beltrán E, Martinez L. Designing for Multilevel Behavior Change: A Father-Focused Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for Mexican-Heritage Families in South Texas Border Communities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph181910117. [PMID: 34639420 PMCID: PMC8508574 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph181910117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Fathers significantly influence family functioning, as coparents and partners, and must be part of family-based approaches to behavioral health interventions or programs. But little is known regarding how to support Latino fathers in health promotion within their family systems, specifically for Latino families living in border communities. Program development was embedded in a larger community-based grant and part of a longstanding academic-community collaboration. An interdisciplinary research team applied theories related to health behavior, family systems, behavior change, and community engagement to develop a father-focused and family-centered behavioral program for Mexican-heritage fathers and children living near the Texas-Mexico border to support changes in nutrition and physical activity at the individual and family levels. Promotoras de salud (trained community health workers) delivered the program through group sessions, check-in calls, and at-home activities. Group session activities were designed to engage family triads and dyads using experiential education related to nutrition and physical activity, like cooking lessons and active play, over a six-week period. Future research can use the program approach and curricula as a roadmap for designing context-specific and culturally-relevant programs for Latino families. Additional research is needed to explore how approaches like this can support families and their health goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra M. Johnson
- Nutrition and Foods Program, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(512)-245-9196
| | - Joseph R. Sharkey
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (J.R.S.); (L.G.); (E.B.); (L.M.)
| | - M. Renée Umstattd Meyer
- Department of Public Health, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76706, USA;
| | - Luis Gómez
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (J.R.S.); (L.G.); (E.B.); (L.M.)
| | - Marlyn A. Allicock
- The University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, Houston School of Public Health-Dallas Regional Campus, Dallas, TX 75207, USA;
| | - Tyler Prochnow
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, College of Education and Human Development, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA;
| | - Elva Beltrán
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (J.R.S.); (L.G.); (E.B.); (L.M.)
| | - Luz Martinez
- Department of Health Promotion and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (J.R.S.); (L.G.); (E.B.); (L.M.)
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Masciale M, Lopez MA, Yu X, Domínguez J, Fredricks K, Haq H, Raphael JL, Bocchini C. Public Benefit Use and Social Needs in Hospitalized Children With Undocumented Parents. Pediatrics 2021; 148:peds.2020-021113. [PMID: 34112659 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2020-021113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Studies supporta recent decline in public benefit enrollment among immigrant families. We aimed to describe health and resource use, barriers to use, and immigration-related fear in families with undocumented parents compared with families without undocumented parents. We also aimed to assess associations with discontinuation of public benefits and fear of deportation. METHODS We assessed immigration concerns and enrollment in Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) with an 89-item anonymous, cross-sectional survey of English- and Spanish-speaking caregivers of hospitalized children. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess associations with discontinuation of public benefits and fear of deportation. RESULTS Of 527 families approached, 399 enrolled (105 with 1 or more undocumented parent, 275 with no undocumented parent, and 19 with undisclosed immigration status). Compared with families without undocumented parents, families with undocumented parents had higher levels of poverty and food insecurity. Controlling for perceived eligibility, public benefit use was similar across groups. Of families with undocumented parents, 29% reported public benefit discontinuation because of immigration concerns, and 71% reported fear of deportation. Having an undocumented parent was associated with public benefit disenrollment (odds ratio: 46.7; 95% confidence interval: 5.9-370.4) and fear of deportation (odds ratio: 24.3; 95% confidence interval: 9.6-61.9). CONCLUSIONS Although families with undocumented parents had higher levels of poverty and food insecurity compared with families without undocumented parents, public benefit use was similar between groups. Immigration-related fear may be a barrier to public benefit use in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Masciale
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Michelle A Lopez
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Center for Child Health Policy and Advocacy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Xian Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - José Domínguez
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Karla Fredricks
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Heather Haq
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jean L Raphael
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Center for Child Health Policy and Advocacy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
| | - Claire Bocchini
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Center for Child Health Policy and Advocacy, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas
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Food security and alternative food acquisition among US low-income households: results from the National Food Acquisition and Purchasing Survey (FoodAPS). Public Health Nutr 2020; 24:787-795. [PMID: 33118898 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980020003791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the characteristics of US low-income households that use alternative food acquisition strategies and to examine the association between food security and alternative food acquisition. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis. The ten-item Adult Food Security Survey Module was used to determine food security status. Self-reported data were used to determine food acquisition from community food sources, social networks and household food production. SETTING The National Food Acquisition and Purchasing Survey (FoodAPS), 2012. PARTICIPANTS The sample consisted of 2534 low-income households (≤185 % of the federal poverty line) in the USA. RESULTS Households using alternative food acquisition strategies were more likely to have a primary respondent who was non-Hispanic White, born in the USA, and female, and more likely to live in a rural area, have higher income and own a home than households not using alternative acquisition strategies. Very low food security was positively associated with the use of community food sources (aOR = 2·26 (95 % CI 1·15, 4·46)). There was no association between food security and food acquisition from social networks or household food production. CONCLUSIONS Use of alternative food acquisition strategies varied by specific demographic characteristics among low-income households, suggesting opportunities for outreach and promotion of alternative acquisition strategies in specific subpopulations in the USA. Future research should examine whether quantity and quality of food received from these sources are associated with food security.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To synthesise the research which has sought to evaluate interventions aiming to tackle children's food insecurity and the contribution of this research to evidencing the effectiveness of such interventions. RECENT FINDINGS The majority of studies in this review were quantitative, non-randomised studies, including cohort studies. Issues with non-complete outcome data, measurement of duration of participation in interventions, and accounting for confounds are common in these evaluation studies. Despite the limitations of the current evidence base, the papers that were reviewed provide evidence for multiple positive outcomes for children participating in attended and subsidy interventions, inter alia, reductions in food insecurity, poor health and obesity. However, current evaluations may overlook key areas of impact of these interventions on the lives and outcomes of participating children. This review suggests that the current evidence base which evaluates food insecurity interventions for children is both mixed and limited in scope and quality. In particular, the outcomes measured are narrow, and many papers have methodological limitations. With this in mind, a systems-based approach to both implementation and evaluation of food poverty interventions is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clare E Holley
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK.
| | - Carolynne Mason
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Epinal Way, Loughborough, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK
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The Experience of Food Insecurity Among Immigrants: a Scoping Review. JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12134-018-0613-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Ethnic/Racial Comparisons in Strategies Parents Use to Cope with Food Insecurity: A Systematic Review of Published Research. J Immigr Minor Health 2018; 21:175-188. [DOI: 10.1007/s10903-018-0720-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Stickley A, Leinsalu M. Childhood hunger and depressive symptoms in adulthood: Findings from a population-based study. J Affect Disord 2018; 226:332-338. [PMID: 29031183 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several studies have linked childhood hunger to an increased risk for later depression. However, as yet, there has been little research on this relation in adults of all ages or whether there are sex differences in this association. The current study examined these issues using data from a national population-based sample. METHODS Data were analyzed from 5095 adults aged 25-84 collected during the Estonian Health Interview Survey 2006. Information was obtained on the frequency of going to bed hungry in childhood and on depressive symptoms using the Emotional State Questionnaire (EST-Q). Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between hunger and depression while controlling for other demographic, socioeconomic and health-related variables. RESULTS In a fully adjusted model, going to bed hungry in childhood either sometimes or often was associated with significantly increased odds for depressive symptoms. When the analysis was stratified by sex the association was more evident in men where any frequency of childhood hunger was linked to adult depression while only women who had experienced hunger often had higher odds for depressive symptoms in the final model. LIMITATIONS Data on childhood hunger were retrospectively reported and may have been affected by recall bias. We also lacked information on potentially relevant variables such as other childhood adversities that might have been important for the observed associations. CONCLUSION Childhood hunger is associated with an increased risk for depressive symptoms among adults. Preventing hunger in childhood may be important for mental health across the life course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Stickley
- The Stockholm Center for Health and Social Change (SCOHOST), Södertörn University, Huddinge 141 89, Sweden.
| | - Mall Leinsalu
- The Stockholm Center for Health and Social Change (SCOHOST), Södertörn University, Huddinge 141 89, Sweden; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
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Murimi MW, Kanyi MG, Mupfudze T, Mbogori TN, Amin MR. Prevalence of Food Insecurity in Low-Income Neighborhoods in West Texas. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2016; 48:625-630.e1. [PMID: 27524688 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2016] [Revised: 07/06/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of food insecurity and the coping strategies and to investigate the role of safety nets among low-income households in urban and rural west Texas. DESIGN The Core Food Security Module, an 18-item scale, was used in a cross-sectional purposeful convenience sample comparing rural and urban households, whereas the demographic survey assessed participation in food assistance/safety net programs. SETTING Rural and urban neighborhoods in west Texas. PARTICIPANTS Sample size of 191 participants from low-income households, predominantly African American and Hispanic people. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES Levels of food insecurity and use of safety nets. ANALYSES Comparisons between rural and urban households and between food-secure and food-insecure households were analyzed using the chi-square test of independence for categorical variables. Fisher's exact test was used whenever the number in each cell was < 5 in 2 × 2 contingency tables. RESULTS Prevalence of household and child food insecurity in west Texas was 63% and 43%, respectively. Forgoing balanced meals was a common coping strategy. There was high intake of affordable energy-intense foods. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS The high prevalence of food insecurity in low-income households in west Texas led to high intake of energy-intense food with low nutrients, resulting in higher prevalence of anemia, obesity, and other chronic diseases. There was low participation in safety net programs. Educational interventions on food choices are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary W Murimi
- College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.
| | - Michael G Kanyi
- College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
| | | | | | - Md Ruhul Amin
- College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
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Bernal J, Frongillo EA, Rivera JA. Food insecurity reported by children, but not by mothers, is associated with lower quality of diet and shifts in foods consumed. MATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION 2016; 12:546-57. [PMID: 26260139 PMCID: PMC6860158 DOI: 10.1111/mcn.12206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Household food security shows little indication of nutrient inadequacy among children, according to reports made by parents. We examined the associations of food insecurity as reported by children and mothers with children's consumption of energy, macronutrients such as vitamin A, calcium, iron and zinc, and selected foods, and whether these associations differed by child's gender. This cross-sectional study had non-probabilistic 128 Venezuelan mother-child pairs. We assessed food insecurity and management strategies in children using 10- and nine-item instruments, respectively. Mothers' report of food insecurity came from a previously validated 12-item instrument. Nutrient intake of children was assessed with a 67-item food frequency questionnaire. Comparisons were made using chi-square test for contingency tables and t-tests for trends (P < 0.05). Linear regression models were used for intakes of nutrients and selected foods. We tested for interactions with gender. Prevalence of child- and mother-reported food insecurity was 83.6 and 61.7%, respectively (P < 0.01). Greater food insecurity or management strategies reported by boys was associated with lower calcium, iron and zinc intake (P < 0.05), but reported intakes were low in girls who are even food secure. Rice and corn flour consumption was higher with higher food insecurity in children. Papaya and banana were less consumed by food-insecure children. We found shifts in 13 of 67 foods consumed, with less quality in those food insecure, as reported by children. Mother-reported food insecurity was associated only with rice intake of children. In contrast to mothers' reports, food insecurity reported by children was associated with children's lower quality of diet and shifts in foods consumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Bernal
- Biology and Biochemistry DepartmentLaboratory of Nutritional AssessmentUniversidad Simón BolívarCaracasVenezuela
| | - Edward A Frongillo
- Department of Health Promotion, Education, and BehaviorArnold School of Public HealthUniversity of South CarolinaColumbiaSouth CarolinaUSA
| | - Juan A Rivera
- Nutrition and Health Research CenterInstitute of Public HealthCuernavacaMéxico
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12
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Perceived and geographic food access and food security status among households with children. Public Health Nutr 2016; 19:2781-8. [PMID: 27133939 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980016000859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the association of both perceived and geographic neighbourhood food access with food security status among households with children. DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study in which participants' perceptions of neighbourhood food access were assessed by a standard survey instrument, and geographic food access was evaluated by distance to the nearest supermarket. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine the associations. SUBJECTS The Midlands Family Study included 544 households with children in eight counties in South Carolina, USA. Food security status among participants was classified into three categories: food secure (FS), food insecure (FI) and very low food security among children (VLFS-C). RESULTS Compared with FS households, VLFS-C households had lower odds of reporting easy access to adequate food shopping. VLFS-C households also had lower odds of reporting neighbourhood access to affordable fruits and vegetables compared with FS households and reported worse selection of fruits and vegetables, quality of fruits and vegetables, and selection of low-fat products. FI households had lower odds of reporting fewer opportunities to purchase fast food. None of the geographic access measures was significantly associated with food security status. CONCLUSIONS Caregivers with children who experienced hunger perceived that they had less access to healthy affordable food in their community, even though grocery stores were present. Approaches to improve perceived access to healthy affordable food should be considered as part of the overall approach to improving food security and eliminating child hunger.
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Quandt SA, Grzywacz JG, Trejo G, Arcury TA. Nutritional strategies of Latino farmworker families with preschool children: identifying leverage points for obesity prevention. Soc Sci Med 2014; 123:72-81. [PMID: 25462607 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2014.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Revised: 10/14/2014] [Accepted: 10/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Obesity and overweight are significant problems for children in the US, particularly for Hispanic children. This paper focuses on the children in families of immigrant Hispanic farmworkers, as farm work is the portal though which many immigrants come to the US. This paper (1) describes a model of the nutritional strategies of child feeding in farmworker families; and (2) uses this model to identify leverage points for efforts to improve the nutritional status of these children. In-depth interviews were conducted in Spanish with 33 mothers of 2-5 year old children in farmworker families recruited in North Carolina in 2010-2011. The purposive sample was balanced by farmworker status (migrant or seasonal), child age, and child gender. Interviews were transcribed and translated. Multiple coders and a team approach to analysis were used. Nutritional strategies centered on domains of procuring food, using food, and maintaining food security. The content of these domains reflected environmental factors (e.g., rural isolation, shared housing), contextual factors (e.g., beliefs about appropriate food, parenting style), and available resources (e.g., income, government programs). Environmental isolation and limited access to resources decrease the amount and diversity of household food supplies. Parental actions (parental sacrifices, reduced dietary variety) attempt to buffer children. Use of government food sources is valuable for eligible families. Leverage points are suggested that would change nutritional strategy components and lower the risk of overweight and obesity. Further prospective research is needed to verify the nutritional strategy identified and to test the ability of leverage points to prevent childhood obesity in this vulnerable population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A Quandt
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA.
| | - Joseph G Grzywacz
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA; Department of Human Development and Family Science, Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK 74106, USA
| | - Grisel Trejo
- Department of Epidemiology and Prevention, Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Thomas A Arcury
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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