Food Energy and Nutrients Per Dollar's Worth of Food From Available Home Food Supplies

Abstract

Data from the Nationwide Food Consumption Survey, 1977–78, were used to assess effects of household size and composition, household income, and eli gibility/participation in the Food Stamp Program (FSP) on the food energy and nutrients per dollar's worth of food from the household food supply during one week. Mean food energy, protein, calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamin A per food dollar were calculated for selected sample partitions. Household size, in come, FSP participation, and other socioeconomic variables were regressed on food energy and nutrients per food dollar. Results indicated that household size had a statistically significant and positive impact on nutrients per dollar's worth of food except for vitamin A. Household income had a statistically significant and negative impact on nutrients per food dollar. Households that participated in the FSP had greater food energy and nutrient return per dollar than households eligible but not participating in the FSP. However, these differences for FSP par ticipation were statistically significant only for calcium.

Socioeconomic Factors Affecting Dietary Status: An Appraisal

“…Basiotis et al (1983) reported that food energy and nutrient availability were related strongly to age and sex of household members. Basiotis et al (1986) and Morgan et al (1985a) reported a significant positive relationship between household size and nutrient return per food dollar, indicating that lower nutrient intakes were probably more related to total food expenditure than food selection. Some time ago Lansing and Kish, and Coughenour observed the advantage of using "family life cycle" rather than age in explaining nutritional status.…”

“…The only consistent observation among the studies was lower calcium levels for black households than white households. Morgan et al (1985a) showed that black households had greater food energy, protein, iron, and vitamin A return per food dollar than did white households, while white households had greater return of calcium and magnesium per food dollar. These researchers also reported that Spanish households had higher iron return per food dollar and no significantly lower returns per food dollar than non-Spanish households.…”

“…Since Davis' review, three studies have been completed that clarify the relationship between food expenditures and dietary status. Morgan and co-workers (Morgan et al 1985a have shown that although dietary levels of nutrients were greater for households with a higher expenditure, nutrients per dollar of food expenditure were inversely correlated with income. As per capita household income increased, percentage allocations to high-cost meats and beverages increased while percentage allocations to other food groups decreased.…”

“…Results for urbanization have been mixed. Morgan et al (1985a) showed that both nonmetropolitan and suburban households had a significantly higher return per food dollar for all dietary components except vitamin A than central city households. This study also reported that northeastern households had a lower nutrient level per food dollar for all dietary components than households in other regions of the United States.…”

“…Households participating in the food stamp program had a significantly higher level of calcium per dollar of food than did eligible nonparticipants. Food stamp households had higher, though not statistically significant, food energy, protein, iron, and magnesium return per food dollar than did eligible, nonparticipating households (Morgan et al 1985a).…”