Probability Of Food Insecurity Research Articles

Land tenure and food security in South India

Tenure security with land titles is considered important for agricultural productivity and growth. In this view, formal titles enable land to be used as collateral, facilitate access to credit markets and increase productivity enhancing investments. Recent studies have extended this approach to food security. This article investigates the validity of the relationship between tenure security and food security by focusing on four different forms of access to land, ranging from ownership with title deeds to informal access. The research is based on a household survey data, specifically collected for this purpose in a rural setting in Tamil Nadu. In contrast to the studies highlighting the collateral effect, the results in this paper show a negative relationship between credit (debt) and food security, possibly reflecting the influence of indebtedness amongst farming households and debt repayments which constitute a drain on incomes and limit spending on food. Furthermore, the study finds that the probability of food insecurity is lower with both customary and formalised tenure with title deeds in comparison to access to land through tenancy and informal access.

Effect of Canada Child Benefit on Food Insecurity: A Propensity Score−Matched Analysis

Food insecurity-the inadequate access to food due to financial constraints-affects 1 in 6 households in Canada, with serious health implications. Family benefit programs supplementing income have shown potential in mitigating the risk of food insecurity, but there is little understanding of their protective effects. The authors aimed to estimate the impacts of the additional Canada Child Benefit provided to families with children aged <6 years on household food insecurity. The authors sampled 28,435 households receiving Canada Child Benefit with children aged <8 years from the Canadian Income Survey 2018-2020 fielded in 2019-2021 and analyzed in 2022. Households without children aged <6 years were 1:1 propensity-score matched to those with children aged <6 years, who received up to $1,068 in additional Canada Child Benefit per child annually. The authors compared the 2 groups' 12-month food insecurity likelihood after matching. Subsample analyses were performed by household income, housing tenure, and household type. Receipt of the additional Canada Child Benefit ($724 on average) was associated with 2.89 (95% CI=1.35, 4.42) percentage points lower probability of experiencing food insecurity among recipients with children aged <6 years (from 24.30% to 21.42%). The association was similar across socioeconomic subgroups and significant among all but high-income earners and mortgage-free homeowners. The authors found plausibly causal evidence that the more generous Canada Child Benefit for Canadian families with young children reduces their probability of food insecurity. Increasing benefits for economically disadvantaged households, characterized by low incomes, single parenthood, and renting (versus owning), may improve the program's efficiency and equity in supporting families' food security.

Food Insecurity Trajectories in the US During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The objective of this study was to characterize population-level trajectories in the probability of food insecurity in the US during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and to examine sociodemographic correlates associated with identified trajectories. We analyzed data from the Understanding America Study survey, a nationally representative panel (N = 7,944) that assessed food insecurity every 2 weeks from April 1, 2020, through March 16, 2021. We used latent class growth analysis to determine patterns (or classes) of pandemic-related food insecurity during a 1-year period. We found 10 classes of trajectories of food insecurity, including 1 class of consistent food security (64.7%), 1 class of consistent food insecurity (3.4%), 5 classes of decreasing food insecurity (15.8%), 2 classes of increasing food insecurity (4.6%), and 1 class of stable but elevated food insecurity (11.6%). Relative to the class that remained food secure, other classes were younger, had a greater proportion of women, and tended to identify with a racial or ethnic minority group. We found heterogeneous longitudinal patterns in the development, resolution, or persistence of food insecurity during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Experiences of food insecurity were highly variable across the US population, with one-third experiencing some form of food insecurity risk. Findings have implications for identifying population groups who are at increased risk of food insecurity and related health disparities beyond the first year of the pandemic.

Disparities in food insecurity among Black and White households: An analysis by age cohort, poverty, education, and home ownership

AbstractWe use the Current Population Survey's Food Security Supplement data to investigate food insecurity disparities among Black and White households across different age groups and socioeconomic characteristics. We find that disparities in the probability of food insecurity between Black and White households vary considerably across specific socioeconomic strata, in particular education, poverty status, and home ownership. Black households are systematically more food insecure than White, even when conditioning on other attributes, and even once household heterogeneity is eliminated. Thus, factors beyond socioeconomic characteristics may be more important in determining food insecurity disparities across Black and White households.

Age-standardized prevalence of social determinants of health and associated race-ethnic disparities in stroke survivors

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States, with evident differences in health outcomes by race and socioeconomic factors. We aim to focus on social determinants of health by race/ethnicity and education level that greatly influences the health-related quality of life in stroke survivors. Method Using the 2017 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey data, the direct age-adjusted prevalence was standardized to the 2000 projected US population. Multivariable weighted logistic regression models were post-estimated to calculate marginal effects of age, gender, education, and race on social determinants of health (housing insecurity, food insecurity, healthcare access hardship) at mean values of other predictors for stroke survivors. Models were adjusted for demographics, socioeconomic position, and stroke risk factors. Marginal effects (ME) reported as predicted probabilities. Result Among stroke survivors, nearly 27% reported housing insecurity and healthcare access hardship, and 48% reported food insecurity. The prevalence of housing insecurity was significantly higher among female (31.69%) than male (21.98%) survivors, and of race, highest among Non-Hispanic-Black (37.49%), lower among Non-Hispanic-Whites (23.83%), and lowest among Hispanics (17.20%) stroke survivors. In contrast, food insecurity was highest among Hispanics (63.71%). Healthcare access hardship was similar across the group with a comparatively lower prevalence in Non-Hispanic-White stroke survivors (25.32%). The predicted probability of housing insecurity was significantly higher among young adults compared to older adults aged 65 or above [ME 26.8 (95CI: 14.5-39.1 vs. ME 1.4 (95CI: 0.9-2.0)]. Of race, Black, NH stroke survivors showed a higher probability of housing insecurity [ME 12.4 (95CI: 6.3-18.3)], while the probability of food insecurity [ME 39.3 (95CI: 11.1-67.6)] and healthcare access was higher among other Non-Hispanic groups. The probability of any insecurities was similar among male and female stroke survivors. Stroke survivors with less than high school education showed a significantly higher probability of housing and food insecurity, in addition to healthcare access. Conclusion Social inequalities along with racial disparities in stroke survivors necessitate tailored intervention to reduce the burden of stroke. It is crucial to address socioeconomic factors such as housing, food, and healthcare access that promote the development of stroke risk factors. Abstract Figure.

The role of provincial social policies and economic environments in shaping food insecurity among Canadian families with children

Food insecurity, inadequate access to food due to financial constraints, affects 17.3% of Canadian children, with serious health repercussions. Capitalizing on the geo-temporal variation in social policies and economic environments across Canadian provinces between 2005 and 2018, we examined the association between provincial policies and economic environments and likelihood of experiencing food insecurity among households with children. Drawn from 13 years of the Canadian Community Health Survey, our sample comprised 123,300 households with below-median income with children under 18 in the ten provinces. We applied generalized ordered logit models on the overall sample and subsamples stratified by Low-Income Measure (LIM). Higher minimum wage, lower income tax, and lower unemployment rate were associated with lower odds of food insecurity in the overall sample. A hypothetical one-dollar increase in minimum wage was associated with 0.8 to 1.0-percentage-point decrease in probability of food insecurity. The probability of food security increased by 1.2 to 1.6 percentage points following a one-percentage-point drop in bottom-bracket income tax rate. One-percentage-point lower unemployment rate corresponded to 0.6 to 0.8-percentage-point higher probability of food security. Higher welfare income and lower housing price predicted lower likelihood of severe food insecurity in the below-LIM subsample. Higher sales tax and median wage predicted higher likelihood of food insecurity among above-LIM households. Income support policies, favorable labor market conditions, and affordable living costs were all related to reduced food insecurity among Canadian households with children. Policies that increase minimum wage, reduce taxes, and create jobs may help alleviate food insecurity.

Determinants of Food Insecurity of Smallholder Farmers in Humbo Woreda

Food insecurity is a worldwide growing concern. According to the 2010 State of Food Insecurity report of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO), nearly one billion people are estimated to be under- nourished, of which developing nations account for 98% (UNFAO2010). Demeke et.al (1995) pointed out that, despite many efforts, food insecurity is still a prominent feature of Ethiopia. Half of the food insecure population of the Sub Saharan Africa is found in Ethiopia, which is one of the seven food insecure country in Sub Sahara Africa. The food insecurity situation in the Humbo woreda, Wolaita zone of Ethiopia shares similar features with that of the other regions (WVE, 2007). The problem of food insecurity has wide diversity and multiple dimensions, which ranges from the global to individual level. Nevertheless, variability, complexity and interrelated causes of household food insecurity and local responses during crisis require an analysis to move down to a household level. It is with regard to this that this study began with the primary objective of analyzing the determinants of household food insecurity of smallholder farmers in Humbo Woreda Southern Nation Nationality People Regional State. To achieve this objective, primary data were collected from a sample of farm households in the Woreda through a structured questionnaire. A total of 183 farm households’ cases were included in the final analysis. In addition, secondary data were collected from different organizations and pertinent publications in order to elaborate the present situation of the food insecurity status in the study area. Logit model was used to identify and analyze the effect of explanatory variables on the dependent variable. A total of twelve explanatory variables were included in the regression. Out of these, six variables were found to be significant in terms of food insecurity. The variables that have a significant relationship with the probability of food insecurity are: Use of Chemical Fertilizer, Use of irrigation, Land Size, Livestock Size, Food Aid, and Farm Credit Use. The rest of the explanatory variables, namely age, sex, education level, family size, dependency ratio, and other sources of income, had no significant effect on the probability of food insecurity. Therefore, consideration of these factors is vital as it provides information that would enable one to undertake effective measures with the aim of improving food security status in the study area. Keywords: Food insecurity, logit , Humbo woreda, smallholder farmers DOI : 10.7176/JPID/50-01 Publication date :June 30 th 2019

Food security of food recipients of a food pantry and soup kitchen.

To discern the impact of food donations provided by a food pantry and soup kitchen on food security. In this cross-sectional study, participants completed a demographic questionnaire, core food security module, FFQ and list of food donations. The FFQ was utilized to assess diet quality as estimated via the 2010 Healthy Eating Index. Clients were selected randomly from a food pantry and soup kitchen in Central Texas, USA.ParticipantsA total of 222 adults. Approximately 73 % of participants lacked food security. Compared with the food secure, the food insecure consisted of 61 % men, 42 % Caucasians, 56 % single and 67 % homeless. Also, of the food insecure, 60 % were soup kitchen clients and 64 % had an annual income &lt;$US 1000 (P&lt;0·01). The probability of food insecurity was reduced by ≥1·17-fold when the total dietary intake included the food donations, as these were rich in fruits, total vegetables and grains, dairy and protein foods (P&lt;0·05). Food insecurity was quite prevalent in this sample of individuals who visited food pantries and soup kitchens. The addition of food donations improved the quality of the participants' total diet and had a positive influence on food security. Thus, community organizations should financially support these food assistance agencies and strive to offer a variety of healthy and tasty foods in adequate quantities to provide optimum diet quality.

Prevalence and predictors of food insecurity among pregnant women: A cross sectional study in Qazvin Province, Iran

IntroductionFood insecurity is associated with adverse health consequences in women, especially pregnant ones. Present study is aimed to investigate prevalence and predictors of food insecurity among pregnant women. MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted on 394 pregnant women in Qazvin during November 2016–May 2017. The Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) was used to assess food insecurity among pregnant women. Besides, the relationship of demographic, midwifery and socioeconomic factors was investigated using Chi-squared and logistic regression tests. Then, the obtained data were analyzed in Stata-12 software at the significance level of 0.05. FindingsNearly 44% of the participants had food insecurity. In multivariate analysis, only husbands’ unemployment and unwanted pregnancy were associated with food insecurity; thus, the chance of food insecurity among women with unemployed husband was higher than the women with employed husband by 4.7 times [OR (95% CI) = 4.69(1.64, 13.42)]. Furthermore, the probability of food insecurity among the participants with unwanted pregnancy was twice more than those with wanted pregnancy [OR (95% CI) = 2.07(1.14, 3.74)]. ConclusionUnemployed husband and unwanted pregnancy are related to food insecurity among pregnant women. Nevertheless, due to the nature of this study, it was not possible to clearly specify the path of such a relationship. To reduce food insecurity among pregnant women, it is essential to take all the necessary measures for providing financial supports for pregnant women through different ways in order to reduce the stress and worries caused by financial burden of pregnancy, and to improve nutrition quality and eating behaviours among pregnant women.

The impact of ART initiation on household food security over time

While evidence suggests that adequate nutrition contributes to the efficacy of ART, the potential causal impact of ART initiation on household food security has not been thoroughly examined. In this study, we present some of the first causal evidence of the impact of ART initiation on household food security. We employ a quasi-experimental design, regression discontinuity, over 5540 individuals from an ongoing population cohort study in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, by utilizing the CD4 count-based ART eligibility threshold to examine the impact of ART initiation on household food security. We find that ART initiation causes a significant increase in the probability of food insecurity in the first year, which diminishes to zero within three years of initiation. Within the first year, ART initiation was found to significantly increase the probabilities that (1) the surveyed adult had missed any food in the past month by 10.2 percentage points (coefficient = 0.102, 95%CI = [0.039, 0.166]); (2) any adult in the household had missed a meal in the past month by 15.2 percentage points (coefficient = 0.152, 95%CI = [0.073, 0.231]); and (3) any child in the household had missed a meal in the past month by 8.9 percentage points (coefficient = 0.0898, 95%CI = [0.0317, 0.148]). While we cannot definitively isolate the mechanistic pathways from ART to household food security, our results are consistent with ART affecting food security through household resource strain and patient appetite recovery. Several policies could mitigate the negative impact of ART on food security, in particular food parcels or food vouchers for ART patients in the first two years after treatment initiation.

Food insecurity in veteran households: findings from nationally representative data.

The present study is the first to use nationally representative data to compare rates of food insecurity among households with veterans of the US Armed Forces and non-veteran households. We used data from the 2005-2013 waves of the Current Population Survey - Food Security Supplement to identify rates of food insecurity and very low food security in veteran and non-veteran households. We estimated the odds and probability of food insecurity in veteran and non-veteran households in uncontrolled and controlled models. We replicated these results after separating veteran households by their most recent period of service. We weighted models to create nationally representative estimates. Nationally representative data from the 2005-2013 waves of the Current Population Survey - Food Security Supplement. US households (n 388 680). Uncontrolled models found much lower rates of food insecurity (8·4 %) and very low food security (3·3 %) among veteran households than in non-veteran households (14·4 % and 5·4 %, respectively), with particularly low rates among households with older veterans. After adjustment, average rates of food insecurity and very low food security were not significantly different for veteran households. However, the probability of food insecurity was significantly higher among some recent veterans and significantly lower for those who served during the Vietnam War. Although adjusting eliminated many differences between veteran and non-veteran households, veterans who served from 1975 and onwards may be at higher risk for food insecurity and should be the recipients of targeted outreach to improve nutritional outcomes.

Do High Food Prices Increase Food Insecurity in the United States?

AbstractWhile research establishing the link between high food prices and increased food insecurity in developing countries is robust, similar research about the United States has been lacking. This has been due in part to a lack of suitable price data, but it has also been due to the assumption that prices matter less in the United States, where households spend a relatively small fraction of their income on food. In this article we examine the role that local food prices play in determining food insecurity in the United States by using newly‐developed price data. We examine whether low‐income households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) are more likely to be food insecure in areas where food prices are higher. We find that the average effect of food prices on the probability of food insecurity is positive and significant: a one‐standard deviation increase in food prices is associated with increases of 2.7, 2.6, and 3.1 percentage points in household, adult, and child food insecurity, respectively. These marginal effects amount to 5.0%, 5.1%, and 12.4% increases in the prevalence of food insecurity for SNAP households, adults, and children, respectively. These results suggest that indexing SNAP benefits to local food prices could improve the ability of the program to reduce food insecurity and economic hardship more generally in areas with high food prices.

The Importance of Incarceration on Food Insecurity Among Households with Children

This study seeks to determine the role that parental incarceration plays on the probability of food insecurity among families with children and very low food security of children using micro-level data from the Fragile Families and Child Well Being Study (FFCWS). The data set contains the 18-question food security module which allows us to explore the link between incarceration and food insecurity and very low food security among children, families, and adults. The incidence of very low food security in our data is somewhat higher than the national average, but the incidence of other levels of food security is similar to national aggregates. Since there is likely reverse causality in the relationship between parental incarceration and food insecurity, we employ a variety of program evaluation techniques to identify the causal relationship between food insecurity and parental incarceration. We employ imputation techniques to account for non-response among the food security variables and independent variables. Our ordinary least squares results suggest that having at least one parent that has ever been incarcerated has a small positive effect (1 to 4 percentage points) on the probability of very low food security among children, adults and households with children, but the results are sensitive to specification and in most regressions, the incarceration variable is not significantly different from zero. Food insecurity for adults and households with children (a less dire level of food insecurity than very low food security) is affected by parental incarceration under most specifications with magnitudes of impact from 4 to 15 percentage points. This research provides some evidence that incarceration adversely affects children and families in terms of food insecurity. Policies to mitigate the impact could be addressed through the court system whereby children are provided with court-sanctioned support to address food needs.

Do Food Prices Affect Food Security for SNAP Households? Evidence from the CPS Matched to the Quarterly Food-At-Home Price Database

In this paper, we estimate the effect of food prices on food insecurity for SNAP recipients using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) and the recently published Quarterly Food-At-Home Price Database (QFAHPD). By constructing this sample we can directly measure the relationship between food prices and food insecurity for U.S. households. We form a local food price index based on amounts of food for a household of four as established by the Thrifty Food Plan. We use an econometric model that accounts for the endogeneity of SNAP receipt to food insecurity and for household-level unobservables. We find that, on average, the effect of food prices on the probability of food insecurity is positive and significant: an increase of one standard deviation in the price of our food basket results in increases of 2.4 percentage points in adult food insecurity and 3.7 percentage points in child food insecurity. These marginal effects amount to 8.4 and 15.9 percent increases in prevalence of food insecurity for adults and children, respectively. These findings have important implications for policy in that SNAP benefits might be beneficially indexed to local food prices.