When less is more: From kitchen space assessments to food security for mobile and stationary recreational vehicle dwellers

Abstract

This study examined full-time recreational vehicle dwellers in the USA and revealed that mobile and stationary recreational vehicle dwellers were mainly the ‘young-old’ and those entering retirement ages, at an average of 60 years of age. Many recreational vehicle dwellers on limited incomes were found to occupy their recreational vehicles on a permanent basis. Because food security definitions require adequate space for food security, it was assumed that food strategies and food security in limited spaces such as the recreational vehicle might differ among mobile and stationary recreational vehicle dwellers based on their income levels and ability to comply with expected social and cultural standards for housing and recreational vehicle populations. By comparing mobile and stationary recreational vehicle dwellers and further grouping recreational vehicle dwellers as those over and under 65 years of age, this study examined how personal assessments varied in terms of kitchen space, food security and related household food strategies. This study focused on kitchen space assessments and their relation to food security. The stationary full-time occupancy of the recreational vehicles as primary housing is not regulated by law or housing codes. Thus, this study's results will be valuable to understanding aged individuals' housing perceptions and needs in order to provide foundational information for policy and regulation development for alternative housing, such as recreational vehicles and smaller dwellings.