Examining food insecurity among high school students: A risks and resources model

Abstract

Food insecurity is associated with several negative health outcomes, many of which can be detrimental to youth during the vulnerable life stage of adolescence. Among a sample of 1493 high school students, the current study utilizes a risks and resources model to examine ways that risks and resources come together to shape the lives and health of youth, making them more vulnerable or shielding them from food insecurity and its related negative health outcomes. A number of factors are proposed as important correlates of food insecurity measured at four perceived levels of aggregation: individual, family, school/peer, and community. These risks and resources are analyzed using a three-step ordinal regression model. Analyses reveal depression, intact family, student risk, and neighborhood risk are positively related to food insecurity, despite significant sociodemographic differences. In addition, self-esteem, eating meals with family, and peer social capital are all significant and negatively related to food insecurity. Collectively, these findings tell an important story about adolescent food insecurity and the relationships that social and psychological circumstances have with varying levels of food insecurity. This study highlights the importance of children and adolescents as reliable respondents and spokespersons of their own experiences with food insecurity.