Convenience food use in households with male food preparers

Data from the household portion of the 1977-78 USDA Nationwide Food Consumption Survey were used to determine expenditures for convenience and nonconvenience foods and nutrients from those foods. Households with male food preparers accounted for approximately 15% of the survey population, frequently included only one person, and had a larger proportion of young and elderly heads of household than households with a female food preparer. As a group, the foods most frequently reported in households with male food preparers were quite similar to those used by households with female food preparers. Male food preparers spent less of the food dollar on nonconvenience items than did other food preparers, and conversely they spent more on complex and manufactured convenience foods. Total food energy and nutrient levels per nutrition unit of the foods used by households with male food preparers were significantly higher than those in households with female food preparers for all nutrients except thiamin and riboflavin. However, the values were more than 100% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance values except for vitamin B-6 for both sample groups.     

Household size, food intake and anthropometric status of school-age children in a highland Mexican area.

Large household size is widely regarded as a risk factor for malnutrition in developing countries, particularly for infants and young children. This study examines the extent to which household size is related to nutritional status in school-age children in the Solis Valley in highland Mexico. The relationships of food intake, anthropometric measures, and household size are assessed in a sample of 110 children (7-9 years of age), who were followed longitudinally for a minimum of one year as part of the Collaborative Research Support Program on Food Intake and Human Function. Diets in the valley are characterized by very low intake of animal food products and are heavily dependent on maize, which is primarily home-produced. Growth faltering is pervasive; the mean Z score for height-for-age in the sample is--1.6 of the NCHS reference standard. Children from larger households are significantly shorter and consume diets of poorer quality, as assessed by intake of foods from animal sources. These relationships remain statistically significant in regression analyses that control for household economic status. It therefore appears that the resources available to households in the Solis Valley are inadequate to buffer children in even more advantaged households from the stresses of maintaining large families.     

Foods predictive of nutrient intake in Chinese diet in Taiwan: I. Total calories, protein, fat and fatty acids.

Dietary consumption data obtained by food weighing for 539 households in Taiwan in 1980-1981 were used to search for foods predictive of nutrient intake. The average per capita nutrient intake in each household was calculated for total calories, protein, fat and fatty acids (saturated fatty acids, oleic acid and unsaturated fatty acids). Stepwise multiple regression analysis was carried out to reveal the relative importance of each of 405 food items in the dietary survey data for predicting nutrient intake. We found that as few as seven to 20 food items could account for a large proportion of the variability of macronutrient intake in this population. These lists of foods were the minimum needed to categorize an individual's nutrient intake for epidemiological studies in Taiwan. The types and amounts of cooking oils (important predictors of fat and calories) added to the dishes were found to vary from family to family, and should be considered in designing dietary questionnaires for Chinese in other societies.     

An examination of at-home food preparation activity among low-income, food-insecure women

A secondary analysis of data from a study of nutritional vulnerability among 153 women in families seeking charitable food assistance was undertaken to estimate the extent and nutritional significance of at-home food preparation activity for these women. At-home food preparation was estimated from women's reported food intakes from three 24-hour recalls. The relationships between food preparation and energy and nutrient intake, food intake, and 30-day household food security status were characterized. Almost all participants (97%) consumed foods prepared from scratch at least once during the three days of observation; 57% did so each day. Both the frequency and complexity of at-home food preparation were positively related to women's energy and nutrient intakes and their consumption of fruits and vegetables, grain products, and meat and alternates. The intakes by women in households with food insecurity with hunger reflected less complex food preparation but no less preparation from scratch than women in households where hunger was not evident, raising questions about the extent to which food skills can protect very poor families from food insecurity and hunger. Our findings indicate the need for nutrition professionals to become effective advocates for policy reforms to lessen economic constraints on poor households.     

Food insecurity is associated with nutrient inadequacies among Canadian adults and adolescents

Household food insecurity constrains food selection, but whether the dietary compromises associated with this problem heighten the risk of nutrient inadequacies is unclear. The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between household food security status and adults' and children's dietary intakes and to estimate the prevalence of nutrient inadequacies among adults and children, differentiating by household food security status. We analyzed 24-h recall and household food security data for persons aged 1-70 y from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey (cycle 2.2). The relationship between adults' and children's nutrient and food intakes and household food security status was assessed using regression analysis. Estimates of the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intakes by food security status and age/sex group were calculated using probability assessment methods. Poorer dietary intakes were observed among adolescents and adults in food-insecure households and many of the differences by food security status persisted after accounting for potential confounders in multivariate analyses. Higher estimated prevalences of nutrient inadequacy were apparent among adolescents and adults in food-insecure households, with the differences most marked for protein, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, folate, vitamin B-12, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. Among children, few differences in dietary intakes by household food security status were apparent and there was little indication of nutrient inadequacy. This study indicates that for adults and, to some degree, adolescents, food insecurity is associated with inadequate nutrient intakes. These findings highlight the need for concerted public policy responses to ameliorate household food insecurity.     

Food insecurity is associated with dietary intake and body size of Korean children from low-income families in urban areas

OBJECTIVE: This study examined household food insecurity of urban low-income families in Korea and the associations of the food insecurity with children's dietary intake and body size. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Low-income neighborhoods in large cities. SUBJECTS: Included 370 children aged 4-12 y, who had all records on dietary intake and anthropometry as well as household food insecurity measures. RESULTS: Using the 10-item Radimer/Cornell Scale, 62.7% of the households showed some degree of food insecurity (8.6% for food insecure for family, 28.4% for food insecure for adults and 25.7% for child hunger households). Food insecurity was linearly and negatively associated with household economic conditions as well as the caretaker's use of nutrition knowledge. There were also significant associations of food insecurity with the children's dietary intakes, indicating the largest amount of nutrients for the children from the household food insecure, followed by those from the food secure, adult food insecure and child hunger groups. The household food insecure children were fatter than the food secure children. The fatter condition of the former children appeared to be related to more frequent intakes of low-quality foods. CONCLUSION: This study reports curvilinear associations between the status of household food insecurity and children's food intakes and fatness. SPONSORSHIP: This work was funded by a grant of the 2001 Korea Health Promotion Research Program, the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea.     

Dietary intakes and selected characteristics of women ages 19–50 years and their children ages 1–5 years by reported perception of food sufficiency

In order to explore dietary intakes and selected socio-demographic, economic and health related characteristics associated with self-reported perception of food sufficiency status (FSS), data from the USDA Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII), One-Day Data, Low-Income for 1985 and 1986 were analyzed. These surveys consist of a partial probability sample of over 3,000 U.S. households containing at least one female member between 19 and 50 years old.The data indicated that lower levels of intake were associated with reported food insufficiency for women. This relationship did not appear to be as strong for children. Also the perception of food sufficiency status was negatively correlated to level of household income as a percent of poverty. It appears that individuals have, on average, the ability to reliably estimate their own FSS. It is unclear, however, if a proxy would be as reliable a source of information for the children's intake.     

Only children of the head of household benefit from increased household food diversity in northern Ghana

In many societies, foods are preferentially channeled to certain members of the household. We studied whether being the child of a powerful household member (head of household or first wife in a polygynous family) was associated with greater child stature in Northern Ghana and how this association varied with differences in household food availability. We used a sample of 464 children between 9 and 36 mo of age in extended households in rural Northern Ghana. Child stature was regressed on household food availability, the status of the child's father (head of household or other male), the status of the child's mother (marital order in a polygynous marriage), and the interaction terms between household food availability and parental status. The models were controlled for child age, sex, maternal height, parity, household size, and potential intra-community clustering. Household dietary diversity was associated with child stature (P < 0.05), but this association was limited to children of the head of household. For children of other males, there was no quantifiable association between household dietary diversity and child stature. Children of monogamous mothers were taller than children of second wives (P < 0.05). Our findings show that studies of intra-household allocation need to investigate beyond gender differences. Other structural household factors need to be considered in designing interventions, because they affect impact and even lead to increased intra-household inequality. Our results are relevant for Northern Ghana and as well as for similar settings elsewhere in the world.     

Dietary Associations of Household Food Insecurity among Children of Mexican Descent: Results of a Binational Study

Background/objectiveChildren of Mexican descent frequently experience household food insecurity both in the United States and Mexico. However, little is known about the associations of food insecurity with dietary intake. This study aimed to understand the level of perceived food insecurity and its association with dietary intake among children of Mexican descent residing in the United States and Mexico.DesignThis cross-sectional study utilized data from a 2006 binational study of 5-year-old children of Mexican descent living in migrant communities in California and Mexico.MethodsIn California, children were 301 participants from the Center for the Health Assessment of Mothers and Children of Salinas study, a longitudinal birth cohort in a Mexican immigrant community. Mexican children (n=301) were participants in the Proyecto Mariposa study, which was designed to capture a sample of women and their children living in Mexico who closely resembled the California sample, yet who never migrated to the United States. Household food insecurity was measured using the US Department of Agriculture Food Security Scale and dietary intake was assessed with food frequency questionnaires. Analysis of variance was used to examine unadjusted and adjusted differences in total energy, nutrient intake, and consumption of food groups by household food security status.ResultsApproximately 39% of California mothers and 75% of Mexico mothers reported low or very low food security in the past 12 months (P<0.01). Children in the United States experiencing food insecurity consumed more fat, saturated fat, sweets, and fried snacks than children not experiencing food insecurity. In contrast, in Mexico food insecurity was associated with lower intake of total carbohydrates, dairy, and vitamin B-6.ConclusionsPrograms and policies addressing food insecurity in the United States and Mexico may need to take steps to address dietary intake among children in households experiencing food insecurity, possibly through education and programs to increase resources to obtain healthful foods.     

The distribution of energy and nutrient intakes within households

The assessment of dietary adequacy, using data from household food surveys, relies on the assumption that intakes of energy and nutrients are distributed within households in the same pattern as the recommended levels against which adequacy is being assessed. That this assumption is probably ill-founded has been demonstrated by Nelson (1986). However, very little information is available on the actual distributions of dietary intake within households because dietary surveys usually cover either the household as a single unit or only a single member of each household. As part of a larger study, 73 individuals within 23 households all provided information using the 24-h dietary recall technique. This data has been analysed using the method described by Nelson (1986) and the Fesults lend further support to the suggestion that the interpretation of dietary adequacy in household food surveys should take into account the distribution of nutrient intakes within the households.     

Food insecurity and food supplies in Latino households with young children

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between food insecurity and food supplies in Latino households. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey, conducted February to May 2001. SETTING: Six California counties. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sampling was used to recruit 274 low-income Latino families with preschool children from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), Head Start, and other community-based organizations. Complete data were available for 256 families. Variables Measured: Food security, household food scores. ANALYSIS: Pearson correlations, Kruskal-Wallis test, and logistics regression. Significance level at P <.05. RESULTS: Controlling for maternal education, food insecurity over the past 3 months was associated with lower household food supplies: dairy, r = -.18, P <.01; fruit, r = -.36, P <.001; grains, r = -.27, P <.0001; meats, r = -.22, P <.001; snack foods, r = -.23, P <.001; and vegetables, r = -.29, P <.001. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: In Latino households, greater food insecurity is associated with a lower variety of most foods, particularly fruits and vegetables. Future research in Latino households should explore the effects of seasonal food insecurity and household food shortages on food intake of individual household members, especially young children.     

南通市3～13岁儿童厌食症高危人群分析

目的 了解当前独生子女占优势的情况下,儿童厌食的情况及确立厌食症的高危因素,探讨厌食症的高危人群.方法 运用整群抽样的方法,抽取南通市幼儿园及小学共2 815名3～13岁的儿童,对可能的相关影响因素采用“儿童健康调查表”进行调查,内容包括儿童的一般进食习惯、家庭情况、围产期及婴儿保健、疾病因素、药物影响、生活因素、精神因素等7个方面.结果 南通市儿童厌食情况在3～9岁的儿童中检出率较高,儿童不定时定量进食、挑食或偏食、边吃边玩等不良的进食习惯、父母的强制进食、训斥、父母自身的挑食等行为方式、肝胆、消化道、麻疹等疾病、精神状况等因素在厌食儿童中较为多见.结论 具有上述的各种高危因素的儿童即为儿童厌食症的高危人群.     

Monitoring food and nutrient availability in a nationally representative sample of Bolivian households

The study objective was to estimate food and nutrient availability in Bolivian households using data from the nationally representative under the Programme for the household surveys undertaken yearly from 1999 to 2002 Improvement of Surveys and the Measurement of Living Conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean (MECOVI). In the present study, we analysed data from four repeated, cross-sectional surveys and applied European Data Food Networking (DAFNE) methodology for post-harmonising the data. Raw data of 19 483 households in Bolivia (3035 in 1999, 4857 in 2000, 5845 in 2001 and 5746 in 2002) were retrieved from the databases of the national household surveys. Results showed that the Bolivian diet is characterised by higher availability of foods of plant origin (cereals, fruits, potatoes and vegetables). Meat, milk and their products follow in the dietary preferences of Bolivians. Disparities in food availability within the country were also observed. Rural households systematically recorded lower amounts of food available, in comparison with the urban ones. Households of higher social status recorded higher availability values for all food groups, except for potatoes and cereals. Findings suggest that Bolivian households of lower socio-economic status prefer energy-dense and cheaper food sources. We concluded the dietary and socio-demographic data collected in the MECOVI household surveys could serve nutrition surveillance purposes. In addition, the application of DAFNE methodology for post-harmonising the data allows both national and international comparisons.     

Food consumption patterns in Italy: the INN-CA Study 1994-1996

OBJECTIVES: The present study was aimed at surveying the Italian food consumption patterns in the 90s. It represented the second nationwide food intake survey that was carried out by the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca per gli Alimenti e la Nutrizione (INRAN). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Free-living households. SUBJECTS: Sampled subjects: 1147 households randomly selected to be representative of the four main geographical areas (North-West, North-East, Centre, South). Analysed subjects: 1978 individuals out of 2734 initially collected in 15 Collaborative Centres strategically scattered through the national territory. METHODS: A mixed 7-day based survey technique was applied in order to survey both individual and household consumption. At individual level, food intake was recorded by a self-compiled diary. At household level food data collection was by compilation of a food inventory by the dietician, a purchased/wasted foods diary and a recipes form both compiled by the person responsible for food related activities (decision of purchase, purchase, preparation of meals) in the household. All recorded data were monitored by the dieticians who visited the households participating in the study, at least three times. Household members were interviewed in order to collect socio-demographic, lifestyle and motivational information. Furthermore, field-workers performed the food coding and the input of data by an ad hoc developed software. The survey design allowed an internal quantitative check of food data. Several check steps were centrally performed RESULTS: The complex methodology caused the 46.8% response rate and afterwards a reduction of the analysed units (72% of the surveyed individuals). However, the analysed sample provided sufficiently reliable data for outlining the most relevant aspects of dietary patterns in Italy. In order to better interpret the results, controversial aspects are also illustrated and discussed in the text. The disparity analysis found that traditional diversities among Italian regions are still alive. In general, males eat more than females. Analysis according to the age class (children: 1-9 years old; adolescents: 10-17; adults: 18-64; elderly: >64) showed differences especially between the group of children vs all the others, but also in the two groups of young individuals vs adults and the elderly, that could represent clues of an incorrect way of eating. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into account the different methodology, the comparison with previous results showed changes in the Italian average diet complying with an increasing attention to healthy aspects by large sectors of the population, but also opposite tendencies that should be carefully monitored. SPONSORSHIP: Minister delle Politiche Agricole e Forestali (Mi.P.A.F.).     

Assessing nutrient intake with an abbreviated dietary interview

There is considerable interest in developing a means of assessing dietary intake of specific nutrients with minimal time and expense in epidemiologic studies. Using data from 1,682 individuals who were interviewed using an extensive food frequency dietary history, the authors examined the question of how many foods might be minimally required in order to estimate specific nutrient intakes for epidemiologic purposes. Nutrient indices were constructed for vitamins A and C, dietary fiber, fat, protein, and total calories based on 128 foods included in the interview. They found that a large fraction of the variability of nutrient intake in this population could be explained by a small number of foods. An abbreviated dietary history ascertaining the intake of as few as 15-20 food items may be all that is required in order to test the association between disease outcome and the intake of a single nutrient.     

The relationship between household income and dietary intakes of 1-10 year old urban Malaysian

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Diet plays an important role in growth and development of children. However, dietary intakes of children living in either rural or urban areas can be influenced by household income. This cross-sectional study examined energy, nutrient and food group intakes of 749 urban children (1-10 years old) by household income status.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Children''s dietary intakes were obtained using food recall and record for two days. Diet adequacy was assessed based on recommended intakes of energy and nutrients and food group servings.

RESULTS

For toddlers, all nutrients except dietary fiber (5.5 g) exceeded recommended intakes. Among older children (preschoolers and school children), calcium (548 mg, 435 mg) and dietary fiber (7.4 g, 9.4 g) did not meet recommendations while percentage of energy from total fat and saturated fats exceeded 30% and 10%, respectively. The mean sodium intakes of preschoolers (1,684 mg) and school children (2,000 mg) were relatively high. Toddlers in all income groups had similar energy and nutrient intakes and percentages meeting the recommended intakes. However, low income older children had lowest intakes of energy (P < 0.05) and most nutrients (P < 0.05) and highest proportions that did not meet recommended energy and nutrient intakes. For all food groups, except milk and dairy products, all age groups had mean intakes below the recommended servings. Compared to middle and high income groups, low income preschoolers had the lowest mean intake of fruits (0.07 serving), meat/poultry (0.78 serving) and milk/dairy products (1.14 serving) while low income toddlers and school children had the least mean intake of fruits (0.09 serving) and milk/dairy products (0.54 serving), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Low socioeconomic status, as indicated by low household income, could limit access to adequate diets, particularly for older children. Parents and caregivers may need dietary guidance to ensure adequate quantity and quality of home food supply and foster healthy eating habits in children.     

Do Mexican-American mothers' food-related parenting practices influence their children's weight and dietary intake?

Food-related parenting attitudes are thought to influence children's dietary intake and weight. The objective of this study was to examine the associations between mothers' reports of food-related parenting and children's dietary intake and body mass index (BMI). A sample of 108 Mexican-American fifth-grade children and their mothers were surveyed. Children's height, weight, and three 24-hour dietary recalls were collected. Mothers reported household food insecurity status and food-related parenting attitudes. Correlational analyses were calculated among dietary intake variables, children's BMI percentiles, and food-parenting behaviors. Mothers' pressure on their children to eat was inversely correlated with children's BMI. In food-insecure families, attitudes toward making healthful foods available were inversely associated with children's daily energy intake and BMI. In contrast, in food-secure families, attitudes about making healthful foods available were positively associated with children's fruit intake and percentage energy from fat, and parental modeling of healthful food behaviors was inversely associated with the energy density. In our sample of Mexican-American families, mothers' food-related parenting was associated with their children's weight and dietary intake. These associations differed in food-secure and food-insecure households. Overall, pressure to eat was highly associated with children's weight, but the temporal nature of these relationships cannot be discerned.     

Child feeding and care behaviors are associated with xerophthalmia in rural Nepalese households

The study examined caregiver–child interactions, intrahousehold food allocation and general child care behaviors and their effect on children's xerophthalmia status in the rural Terai region of Nepal. Seventy-eight households with a child having a history of xerophthalmia (cases) were matched with 78 households with a child of the same age having no history of xerophthalmia (controls). Seven day-long continuous monitoring observations were performed in each household (over 15 months) by trained Nepali observers, focusing on feeding and care of a focus child and his/her younger sibling. Nineteen different behavioral variables were operationalized, including serving method, second helpings, serving refusals, encouragement to eat, request intensity, meal serving order, food channeling, food sharing, positive social behaviors, negative social behaviors, and positive health behaviors. Automatic serving and request intensity were strongly negatively correlated, especially among younger siblings. Children who serve themselves receive less encouragement to eat. Those children who are refused in their requests for food tend to ask for food more frequently, for a longer time, and be less likely to self-serve. Children who eat from a shared plate are less likely to interact with a food server and more likely to self-serve. Negative social behavior towards children is associated with the child having to request food more frequently and a greater likelihood of being refused food. Children who receive positive health care from their caregivers are also more frequently asked if they would like food by the server and are encouraged to eat. Several caregiver–child feeding behaviors were related to a child's risk of having past vitamin A deficiency. Controls were much more likely to be served food automatically. Cases were more likely to serve themselves food and have multiple servings of food. Cases were nearly two times more likely than controls to be treated with neglect or harshly, and much less likely than controls to have their health needs receive attention. Examining intrahousehold behavior is critical for understanding the causes of vitamin A deficiency in rural Nepalese children, and has great potential for identifying and improving interventions to improve children's diets and care.     

Socioeconomic differences in food purchasing behaviour and suggested implications for diet-related health promotion

Background The relationship between socioeconomic position (SEP) and diet has been examined mainly on the basis of food and nutrient intake. As a complement to this work, we focused on the socioeconomic patterning of food purchasing, as many educational dietary messages emphasize behaviours such as food choice when shopping. Also, the type of food people buy influences the quality of their nutrient intake. Methods A probability sample of households in Brisbane City, Australia (n = 1003, 66.4% response rate). Data were collected using face‐to‐face interviews. SEP was measured using education, occupation and household income. Food purchasing was examined on the basis of grocery items (including meat and chicken) and fruit and vegetables. Results Significant associations were found between each socioeconomic indicator and food purchasing. Persons from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds were less likely to purchase grocery foods that were comparatively high in fibre and low in fat, salt and sugar. The least educated, those employed in blue‐collar (manual) occupations and residents of low income households purchased fewer types of fruit and vegetables, and less regularly, than their higher status counterparts. Conclusions Health promotion efforts aimed at narrowing socioeconomic differences in food purchasing need to be designed and implemented with an understanding of, and a sensitivity to, the barriers to nutritional improvement that difficult life circumstances can impose.     

Household food security status measured by the US-Household Food Security/Hunger Survey Module (US-FSSM) is in line with coping strategy indicators found in urban and rural Indonesia

The food security assessment used by the United State's Food Security/Hunger Survey Module (US- FSSM) was used in five studies: these were in two urban and four rural areas in Indonesia between February 2004- August 2005. The number of households assessed was 3,704 and consisted of 45% urban and 55% rural. All households had children below five years. This paper aims to assess the applicability of US-FSSM for measuring household food-insecurity in Indonesia. Common coping-strategies discussed are to borrow money from the family, get an additional job, to lessen portion size of food, and to sell small assets. Although households in urban and rural areas were similar in size/number of children and male headed; the urban households were more income-secure, educated, and had better access to electrical appliances. A majority of the households was food-insecure (77% and 84% in urban and rural consecutively). More food-insecure households without and with hunger were found in rural areas. The number of affirmative responses to 17 out of 18 questions in the USFSSM was more in the rural households, showing less fortunate cases of food-insecurity. For a given coping strategy, as food-security status becomes more severe, the higher the percentage of households employing it. For a given food-security status, percentage of households was higher among lower-degree and less among higher-degree coping. Combining food-security and coping-strategy indicators may help to identify transient-food-secure households. Observing both indicators throughout different time of the year continuously may further identify adaptive mechanism by chronic-food-insecure households. Information on household food diversity could enrich findings on dietary intake modification, hence moving from food-security to nutrition-security.