A Scoping Review of Household Factors Contributing to Dietary Quality and Food Security in Low-Income Households with School-Age Children in the United States

Eicher‐Miller, Heather A.; Graves, L.M.; McGowan, Bethany; Mayfield, B.; Connolly, Bronwen; Stevens, Wendy; Abbott, Angela

doi:10.1016/j.advnut.2023.05.006

Cited by 12 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 77 publications

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“…Given the challenges posed by the cost of living crisis, households with low-incomes have responded by using 'coping strategies' to mitigate experiences of food insecurity, specifically, the ways in which households purchase and prepare food (Douglas, 2023;Eicher-Miller et al, 2023;Johnstone & Lonnie, 2023). In relation to food purchasing behaviours, Ditlevsen et al (2023) reported that households with low-incomes often engage in bulk purchasing to benefit from bulk-buy discounting, and Adams (2023) reported that women experiencing food insecurity made use of 'bargain bins' and coupons to maximize their purchasing power.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of the cost of living crisis and food insecurity on food purchasing behaviours and food preparation practices in people living with obesity

Stone,

Brown,

Douglas

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Lower income households are at greater risk of food insecurity and poor diet quality. In high-income countries, food insecurity is associated with higher levels of obesity, and the global cost of living crisis is likely to have exacerbated existing dietary inequalities for people living with obesity (PLWO) and food insecurity. However, there is a paucity of research on the impact of the cost of living crisis on food purchasing and food preparation practices for PLWO and food insecurity. Using an online survey (N = 583) of adults residing in England or Scotland with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 30kg/m2, participants self-reported on food insecurity, diet quality, perceived impact of the cost of living crisis, and their responses to this in terms of food purchasing behaviours and food preparation practices. Regression analyses found that participants more impacted by the cost of living crisis reported greater experiences of food insecurity. Additionally, food insecurity was associated with greater use of specific purchasing behaviours (i.e., use of budgeting, use of supermarket offers) and food preparation practices (i.e., use of energy-saving appliances, use of resourcefulness). Exploratory analyses indicated that greater impact of the cost of living crisis and use of budgeting were associated with poorer diet quality, whereas greater use of meal planning was associated with better diet quality. These findings highlight the fragility of food budgets and the coping strategies used by PLWO and food insecurity during the cost of living crisis. Policy measures and interventions are urgently needed that address the underlying economic factors contributing to food insecurity, to improve access to and affordability of healthier foods for all.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of the cost of living crisis and food insecurity on food purchasing behaviours and food preparation practices in people living with obesity

Stone,

Brown,

Douglas

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“I eat chocolate milk for dinner because we just have nothing in our fridge”: The invisible burden and dire consequences of food insecurity for people with cystic fibrosis in the United States

Niranjan,

Brown,

Bailey

et al. 2024

Pediatric Pulmonology

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BackgroundOne‐third of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF) are food insecure, with profound negative implications for their health. This qualitative study explored lived experiences with food insecurity among pwCF or their caregivers and summarized their perspectives on food insecurity screening in the cystic fibrosis (CF) programs where they receive care.MethodsSemi‐structured qualitative interviews were conducted with two groups: (1) adults with CF and (2) parents or caregivers of children with CF. PwCF or their caregivers with previously documented food insecurity were referred for participation by pediatric and adult CF programs across the United States. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, and data were coded and analyzed by two independent coders using a content‐analysis approach with a constant comparative method to generate themes.ResultsA total of 26 participants from 22 CF programs were interviewed. The sample included 17 adults with CF and nine parents of children with CF. Participants were predominantly White (88%) and female (92%). Five overarching themes emerged: (1) food insecurity among CF patients and their families is onerous, (2) financial constraints imposed by the CF disease contribute to food insecurity, (3) federal and state programs provide limited food assistance, and other support is minimal, (4) shame and stigma engulf conversations around food insecurity with CF care teams, and (5) food insecurity screening in clinical settings is critical.ConclusionsFood insecurity among pwCF is invisible, but its consequences are dire. Assistance is limited, screening is inconsistent, and stigma is widespread. There is an urgent need to normalize food insecurity screening, standardize the screening process, and expand food assistance programs for pwCF.

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Addressing hunger among households with children utilizing food assistance resources: an analysis of food pantry users

Hicks,

Nelson,

Rhoads

et al. 2024

J Public Health (Berl.)

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Aim Households with children have higher rates of food insecurity compared to households without children. Financial instabilities, including job loss, decreased income, and family structure changes are food insecurity risk factors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, programs were implemented to alleviate the impacts on food insecurity, but those expanded benefits were decreased in March 2023, leaving many families with economic burden. Subject and methods This study used a cross-sectional survey administered to food pantry users across ten food pantries in Eastern Massachusetts from June to August 2018, with 279 users reporting at least one child in the household. The outcome, hunger, was assessed using a modified version of the Household Hunger Scale. Households were categorized (one child, two children, or three or more children). Mixed-effects logistic regression models assessed the relationship between hunger categories and number of children in the household. Results This study found that having more children in the household increases the severity of hunger. Households with at least three children had 1.46 times the odds (95% CI: 1.08, 1.97) of moderate hunger and 1.85 times the odds (95% CI: 1.11, 3.07) of severe hunger compared to one-child households. Severe hunger was associated with monthly household income, with higher incomes having a protective effect for severe hunger. Conclusion Programs and policies addressing food insecurity are critical for supporting households with children already accessing supports, so removal of benefits may impact food insecurity. A multi-pronged approach including government-funded benefits and food pantry services is most effective in alleviating food insecurity. Significance Previous studies show that food insecurity increases with more children in the household compared to households without children, but focus less on populations already utilizing food assistance programs such as food pantries. This study examines hunger in households with children who are already at risk for food insecurity and receive food pantry services. Studying this population is essential given the recent decision by the US government to remove expanded COVID-19 benefits addressing food insecurity. Households with children experiencing food insecurity now depend upon those benefits and will be affected by their removal. These study findings can inform future resource allocation.

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A Scoping Review of Household Factors Contributing to Dietary Quality and Food Security in Low-Income Households with School-Age Children in the United States

Cited by 12 publications

References 77 publications

The impact of the cost of living crisis and food insecurity on food purchasing behaviours and food preparation practices in people living with obesity

The impact of the cost of living crisis and food insecurity on food purchasing behaviours and food preparation practices in people living with obesity

“I eat chocolate milk for dinner because we just have nothing in our fridge”: The invisible burden and dire consequences of food insecurity for people with cystic fibrosis in the United States

Addressing hunger among households with children utilizing food assistance resources: an analysis of food pantry users

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