The role of social enterprise in food insecurity among asylum seekers

People seeking asylum in high‐income countries are vulnerable to food insecurity due to limited opportunities for social and economic participation. Given this vulnerability, nongovernment organisations are attempting to improve food security outcomes through targeted programmes. This study explored the role of a subsidised mobile fresh fruit and vegetable market (the Food Justice Truck—FJT) on the experience of food insecurity for people seeking asylum living in Melbourne, Australia. This research uses a mixed methods approach, employing surveys and semistructured interviews to explore the lived experiences of asylum seekers using the FJT, including their experiences of food insecurity. Half of the asylum seekers interviewed in this study were found to be experiencing food insecurity. Participants in this study sourced food from multiple locations, with the FJT providing a supplemental, but highly valued source of fresh produce. The FJT was identified as positive social setting for some participants included in this research. This research has identified the ability of programmes such as the FJT to act as positive social settings.     

The effect of maternal food insecurity transitions on housing insecurity in a population-based sample of mothers of young children

BackgroundStudies have shown a link between food insecurity and housing problems, including trouble paying rent. Additional research is needed to test the longitudinal effect of food insecurity on housing insecurity in a socio-demographically diverse, population-based sample. We tested whether food insecurity transitions predicted housing insecurity using a housing insecurity index consisting of housing and neighborhood factors. We also tested whether social cohesion or social support mediated the food/housing insecurity relationship.MethodData were analyzed from a sample of 2868 mothers of young children residing in California at two time points: the baseline Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (2003–2007) and follow-up Geographic Research on Wellbeing survey (2012–2013). Women were categorized as food insecure both times; became food insecure; became food secure; and food secure both times. We constructed linear regression models for housing insecurity: models regressing each variable separately; a model regressing sociodemographic covariates and food insecurity status; mediation models adding social cohesion or social support; and mediation models for each racial/ethnic group.ResultsFood insecurity transitions were associated with housing insecurity in a gradient pattern. Compared to women who were food secure both times, housing insecurity was highest among women who were food insecure both times, followed by those who became food insecure, and then those who transitioned out of food insecurity (became food secure). Food insecurity remained a significant risk factor for housing insecurity even after adjusting sociodemographic covariates. While social support and social cohesion were negatively associated with housing insecurity, there was limited evidence that social support/cohesion mediated the food insecurity/housing insecurity relationships.ConclusionsThe lack of substantial mediation suggests that factors beyond social ties may explain the food and housing insecurity relationship. Efforts to reduce material hardship should consist of streamlined policy efforts that offer tangible supports for women and their families.     

Feeding inequality: food insecurity,social status and college student health

A growing but limited body of research has identified the college student population as one that is particularly vulnerable to food insecurity. Early estimates of food insecurity prevalence among college students range from 14 to 60 per cent. The present study utilises original survey data collected from a random sample (n = 300) of college students enrolled at an urban university in the Midwest region of the United States of America (USA). This study examines the impact of food insecurity on health outcomes and the mediation of this relationship by subjective social status among college students. Ordinary least squares (OLS) and logistic regression analyses find that food insecurity is related to worse self-rated, physical and mental health among college students, and Sobel-Goodman tests find that subjective social status plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between food insecurity and health among college students. The implications of these findings in a university context are discussed using a psychosocial framework and insights from the stress process model. In doing so, I discuss food insecurity among college students with an emphasis on the social significance of food and food insecurity.     

Severity of household food insecurity and lifetime racial discrimination among African-American households in South Carolina

Objectives: In 2014, 30% of African-American households with children had low or very low food security, a rate double that of white households with children. A household has low food security if its members experience food shortages and reductions in food quality attributable to a lack of household resources or access and very low food security if its members also experience reductions in food intake and disrupted eating patterns. Households that are either low or very low food secure are known collectively as food insecure. We examined the association between the severity of household food insecurity and reports of lifetime racial discrimination among a sample of food-insecure African-American households in South Carolina.

Design: Data were collected from 154 African-American respondents. Food insecurity was measured using the US Department of Agriculture’s Household Food Security Survey Module. Lifetime racial discrimination was measured using the Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire-Community Version (PEDQ-CV). We used logistic regression to test the association between severity of food insecurity (low vs. very low food secure), PEDQ-CV score and PEDQ-CV subscales. All models were adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic variables.

Results: A one-unit increase in the frequency of lifetime racial discrimination was associated with a 5% increase in the odds of being very low food secure (odds ratio (OR) 1.05, P?P?P?P?P?>?.05).

Conclusions: Severity of household food insecurity is associated with lifetime racial discrimination among African-American households in South Carolina.     

Still there's no food! Food insecurity in a refugee population in Perth, Western Australia

Aim:  To identify food insecurity and examine its association with socio-demographic factors in a group of newly arrived refugees.
Methods:  Structured questionnaire based around the same question asked during the National Nutrition Survey (1995). The questionnaire was administered to a service-based sample of clients accessing early intervention services. Fifty-one individuals who were newly arrived refugees, resident in Australia for less than 12 months and who were receiving torture and trauma counselling.
Results:  Thirty-six individuals (71% of sample) reported running out of food. This percentage was much greater than the 5.2% recorded across all social and economic groups in the 1995 National Nutrition Survey. The most common reasons for running out of food were related to large household bills, late welfare payments, poor household skills, sending money 'home', transport issues and poor budgeting skills.
Conclusion:  Food insecurity in refugees in Perth, Western Australia is comparable to the rates of food insecurity found in this population in other parts of the developed world. There are, however, significant ramifications for the development of intervention strategies as well as policy implications. For refugees, focusing on community food security strategies will assist in building community capacity, facilitate the retention of cultural integrity, restore and maintain dignity, and will be instrumental in ensuring both short- and long-term health.     

Prevalence of food insecurity and utilization of food assistance program: an exploratory survey of a Vermont middle school

BACKGROUND: Access to sufficient food—in terms of both quality and quantity—is especially critical for children. Undernourishment during childhood and adolescence can have health implications, both short and long term. The prevalence of food insecurity was assessed in a sample of Vermont school children, as well as the relationship between food insecurity, participation in school breakfast or lunch, exercise and body mass index (BMI), all with a goal to identify needs to improve effectiveness of current programs. METHODS: A cross‐sectional, 23‐item self‐administered survey of students attending a public middle school in Vermont. RESULTS: Twenty percent of the children were residing in a food insecure household. No statistically significant differences were observed in terms of age, sex or BMI percentile and food security status. Food insecure (with or without hunger) participants were less likely to eat breakfast at home compared to food secure participants (67.1% vs 81.4%, p = .007). However, such differences were not observed between eating school breakfast or lunch. Sixty‐two percent of food insecure (with or without hunger) participants engaged in daily exercise compared to 75.9% food secure participants (p = .014). CONCLUSION: Children in food insecure households were less likely to be physically active and to eat breakfast at home. However, the school breakfast program is negating any difference between the 2 groups in terms of eating breakfast at all. We consider this a success given the short‐ and long‐term implications of food insecurity in children. We believe these findings have important implications for schools, policy makers, and programs to reduce food insecurity.     

Student food insecurity: The skeleton in the university closet

Aim: Food security is an important nutrition issue among vulnerable population groups such as the young and socioeconomically disadvantaged. The present study sought to identify and describe the prevalence, distribution and severity of food insecurity, and related behavioural adaptations, among a sample of Australian university students. Methods: A cross‐sectional survey design involving a self‐administered questionnaire consisting of 39 food security‐related and 15 demographic questions administered among a sample of university students. Results: A sample of 399 students completed questionnaires representing a response rate of 71.5% of students invited to participate. Sample demography was representative of the total student population except for being overrepresented by full‐time and international students. Food insecurity was evident in the student sample ranging from 12.7% to 46.5% (based on method of analysis). Student food insecurity was significantly associated with those renting, boarding or sharing accommodation, with low incomes or receiving government assistance. Coping strategies developed by students focused on income generation and austerity measures, included living with parents, working more than 10 hours per week outside of university and borrowing money and food. Students who reported food insecurity were more likely to rate their overall health status lower than those who were food secure. Conclusion: The present study suggests university students are at significant risk of food insecurity in part attributed to inadequate income support. Further research is required to assess the broader determinants of food insecurity and appropriate strategy responses, including social support policies, in this population group.     

Challenges and opportunities for measuring the impact of a nutrition programme amongst young people at risk of food insecurity: A pilot study

Food insecurity in Australia is increasing. Organisations within the charitable food sector aim to manage, and in some cases are implementing strategies to prevent, food insecurity, such as food literacy programmes. This pilot study describes the challenges and opportunities for evaluating the impact of a food literacy programme, FoodMate by SecondBite^?, which aims to reduce food insecurity amongst ‘at risk’ young people. Three community agencies working with ‘at risk’ young people delivered an 8‐week food literacy programme in Melbourne, Australia. A pre‐test/post‐test design was used and outcome measures included: (i) food intake, (ii) diet quality, (iii) cooking confidence and (iv) food independence. These were assessed via questionnaires and 24‐hour recalls at three time points: pre‐programme (T1), post‐programme (T2) and at 4 to 6‐week follow‐up (T3). Twenty‐one young people aged 16–25 years participated in this pilot study. The response rate for the questionnaire and 24‐hour recalls declined across the study: T1 (n = 21), T2 (n = 11) and T3 (n = 9). Some positive effects were associated with the programme but attrition rates were high and the majority of participants did not complete all measures. Although results were inconclusive, this study describes some common challenges of conducting a food literacy intervention with vulnerable young people and highlights the benefit of nutrition researchers and practitioners working together to conduct evaluation of such programmes.     

Examining effects of food insecurity and food choices on health outcomes in households in poverty

Evidence documenting effects of food assistance programs, household food insecurity, and nutrition knowledge on health outcomes is building. Using data from a sub-sample of adults who are 185% of the poverty line from the 2007–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 2,171), we examine whether household food insecurity, food stamp take-up, and use of informal food supports are associated with health risk among low-income households. Findings indicate that while nutrition knowledge provides protection against health risk in food secure households, the health benefits of nutrition knowledge were not evident in food insecure households. We discuss these findings in light of current policy and practice interventions that recognize the importance of providing healthy, affordable food options for food insecure households.     

The impact of holiday clubs on household food insecurity—A pilot study

This research investigates whether holiday clubs have the potential to reduce food insecurity among households in the United Kingdom. We survey parents (n = 38) of children attending seven different holiday clubs to estimate the percentage of children in those programmes who come from food insecure households. Results suggest that 42% (16 out of 38 respondents) of children come from households defined as “food insecure” and 24% (9 out of 38 respondents) come from households that are “food insecure with hunger.” When secure and insecure households are compared, we discover that food insecure households benefit the most from holiday clubs, which suggests that they may play an important role in mitigating household food insecurity.     

Early impacts of orphaning: Health,nutrition, and food insecurity in a cohort of school-going adolescents in South Africa

We recruited a cohort of 157 recent orphans and 480 non-orphans aged 9–15 in a region of high HIV/AIDS mortality in South Africa using stratified cluster sampling to determine the impact of recent parental death on health and food insecurity of school-going orphans compared to non-orphans over time. Between September 2004 and June 2007, household heads, caregivers, and children were interviewed at three annual intervals. Bivariate associations and multivariate models were assessed using generalized estimating equations (GEE). In the health domain, compared to non-orphans, double orphans were more likely to report worse health status and being very ill in the previous 12 months. For those who reported being very ill, maternal or paternal orphans were more than twice as likely not to seek care than non-orphans; no differences were found for double orphans. For nutrition and food insecurity, maternal or paternal orphans were more likely not to have eaten dinner and to have gone to bed hungry the previous night compared to non-orphans; no differences were found for double orphans. Overall, recent school-aged orphans were disadvantaged in health and food insecurity within two years after the death of a parent, compared to their non-orphaned counterparts, but the disparities were smaller than expected. No changes in health, nutritional status, or food insecurity were apparent over the three study rounds. Longer term effects into adulthood may well be more pronounced and warrant careful longitudinal investigation.     

Development of a tool to assess past food insecurity of immigrant latino mothers

OBJECTIVE: The purpose is to describe the development and validation of a tool to measure the degree of past food insecurity in an immigrant US population. DESIGN: Focus group discussions and a structured interview. As a first step, focus group discussions were conducted among immigrant Latino mothers. Based on these discussions, an 8-item tool was developed and pilot-tested in a convenience sample of mothers. SETTING: California. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two low-income Latino mothers with children, ages 4 to 5 years, in the focus groups and 85 low-income Latino and white mothers of young children in the structured interviews. ANALYSES: Constant comparative analysis, Cronbach alpha, Spearman correlations, Chi-square, and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: Internal consistency of the remaining 7 items was good (Cronbach alpha = 0.84). Evidence of convergent validity included significant correlations between past food insecurity and maternal education (r = -0.45, p < .0001), crowding in the mother's childhood household (r = +0.30, p < .006), and past food insufficiency (r = +0.74, p < .0001). Foreign-born Latino mothers reported significantly greater levels of past food insecurity than US-born mothers, demonstrating discriminant validity (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This tool may be useful to determine how past deprivation influences current food choices and other nutrition-related behaviors in low-income Latino immigrants.     

Health professionals’ experiences and perspectives on food insecurity and long‐term conditions: A qualitative investigation

Estimates suggest that over 10% of the UK population are affected by food insecurity. International evidence indicates that food insecurity is a risk factor for many long‐term health conditions, and can adversely affect people's ability to manage existing conditions. Food insecurity is thus not only a serious social concern but also a healthcare issue requiring the attention of UK health professionals. An exploratory qualitative study was undertaken to investigate the experiences and views of health professionals in north east Scotland, with a particular focus on support for people with long‐term conditions whom they believed were affected by food insecurity. Two focus groups and nine semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with a total of 20 health professionals between March and July 2016. Thematic analysis generated three main themes. The health professionals had (a) diverse levels of understanding and experience of food insecurity, but between them identified a range of (b) negative impacts of food insecurity on condition‐management, especially for diet dependent conditions or medication regimes, and for mental health. Even for those health professionals more familiar with food insecurity, there were various (c) practical and ethical uncertainties about identifying and working with food insecure patients (it could be difficult to judge, for example, whether and how to raise the issue with people, to tailor dietary advice to reflect food insecurity, and to engage with other agencies working to address food insecurity). This study indicates that health professionals working with food insecure patients have learning and support needs that warrant further investigation. Debates about health professionals’ responsibilities, and interventions to guide and support health professionals, including tools that might be used to screen for food insecurity, must also reflect the diverse lived needs and values of people who experience food insecurity.