- Email: [email protected]
Understanding Triggers of Food Insecurity
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Volume 47, Number 4S, 2015 P109 (continued) The resulting maps defined the portions of the city with the highest concentration of Hispanic individuals who may be experiencing food insecurity. Results: The maps illustrated concentrations of Hispanic individuals who reside in food deserts. The demographic information showed these areas to be low-income, with several of the areas having low automobile access. Because these individuals are residing in areas that are classified as a food desert, have low median income, and often low automobile access these individuals may be experiencing food insecurity. Conclusions and Implications: Visualizing the concentration of Hispanic populations with respect to food deserts illustrates the need for culturally acceptable food choices and recipes within those areas. Currently, there are no Hispanic specific food banks in these areas. GIS mapping is a useful tool to help guide Food for Thought to ensure that the foods provided are culturally appropriate. Funding: None.
P110 Understanding Triggers of Food Insecurity Andrea S. Anater, PhD, MPH, MA, [email protected], RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194; D. Zaccaro, MS; K. Emery, MS; S. Kandefer, BS; H. Kane, PhD Objective: This session explores why households move in and out of food insecurity. Design, Setting and Participants: The two-phased, longitudinal mixed-methods study used a socio-ecological theoretical framework. First, employing a cross sectional, observational design, we administered in-person surveys to 320 adults in very low food secure households with children in 8 counties in North Carolina with the highest food insecurity rates (>30%). Over 1 year later, we repeated select questions, including the Household Food Security Survey Module and conducted in-depth interviews with a cohort (n¼28) of participants. Outcome Measures and Analysis: We produced separate cross-tabular estimates comparing baseline and follow up data for household food security and socioeconomic characteristics and analyzed interview data for events that triggered food shortages. Results: Most respondents reported having different life circumstance at follow-up compared to baseline that affected their household’s food security. Almost half of participants’ food security improved. Categories of circumstances that affected food security included: family composition (e.g. change in marital status or household size); health (e.g. prolong illness or recovery); unexpected living expenses (e.g. car repair or purchase); and seasonal expenses (e.g. energy cost, school fees). Participation in SNAP, WIC, school food and financial assistance programs remained consistent between times baseline and follow-up. Conclusions and Implications: Households can often manage until an unexpected expense upsets planned budgets and strategies. Reducing income volatility, helping to limit expenses (e.g., providing affordable health care,
Poster Abstracts S53
improving affordability of housing, strengthening resource management skills), and offering emergency financial assistance as a needed buffer may enable households to improve and maintain their food security. Funding: University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research.
P111 Chronic Disease Risk Factors Among Adults Living in a Food Desert Highlight the Need for Nutrition Education Serah Theuri, PhD, RD, [email protected], University of Southern Indiana, 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, IN 47712 Objective: To assess chronic disease risk factors among low-income adults living in a food desert in a southwestern urban community. Design, Setting and Participants: Cross-section study of low-income adults from the University of Southern Indiana Community Health Centers. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire during scheduled medical appointment and submitted to clinical assessment. Dietary assessment was conducted using MEDFICTS. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Body weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, plasma glucose, glucose A1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured or obtained from the patient’s medical chart. Standard descriptive analysis, independent sample t-tests, and Spearman’s correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS 21. Results: In the 32 patient sample, 71.9%; P < .013 were women. Education level ranged from less than high school (21.9%) to some college education (43.8%). Majority (59.3%; P < .007) of participants were unemployed, and lived below poverty level. Poor glucose control was higher (7.91 1.98) among patients with more than high school education. Overall, obesity rate was high (39.74 7.26). Weekly consumption of cheese (P ¼ .04) and fried foods (P ¼ .05) was significantly different by educational level. Food serving size for eggs (P ¼ .003) and fried foods (P ¼ .02) was significantly different by educational level. Conclusions and Implications: Findings highlight the staggering rates of morbid obesity and poor glucose control among the study sample. The findings underscore a pressing need to provide free nutrition education to manage weight and glucose A1c. Funding: University of Southern Indiana FRCWA Fund.
P112 Breakfast Skipping and Academic Performance Among Senior Secondary School Students in Lagos, Nigeria Ifeoma Akeredolu, PhD, [email protected], Yaba College of Technology, YABA Lagos, 234, Nigeria; J. Okafor, PhD, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; P. Mbah, PhD, Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike; T. Ajagbe, BS Objective: To assess the influence of skipping breakfast on academic performance of secondary school students. Continued on page S54
P110 Understanding Triggers of Food Insecurity Andrea S. Anater, PhD, MPH, MA, [email protected], RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, PO Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194; D. Zaccaro, MS; K. Emery, MS; S. Kandefer, BS; H. Kane, PhD Objective: This session explores why households move in and out of food insecurity. Design, Setting and Participants: The two-phased, longitudinal mixed-methods study used a socio-ecological theoretical framework. First, employing a cross sectional, observational design, we administered in-person surveys to 320 adults in very low food secure households with children in 8 counties in North Carolina with the highest food insecurity rates (>30%). Over 1 year later, we repeated select questions, including the Household Food Security Survey Module and conducted in-depth interviews with a cohort (n¼28) of participants. Outcome Measures and Analysis: We produced separate cross-tabular estimates comparing baseline and follow up data for household food security and socioeconomic characteristics and analyzed interview data for events that triggered food shortages. Results: Most respondents reported having different life circumstance at follow-up compared to baseline that affected their household’s food security. Almost half of participants’ food security improved. Categories of circumstances that affected food security included: family composition (e.g. change in marital status or household size); health (e.g. prolong illness or recovery); unexpected living expenses (e.g. car repair or purchase); and seasonal expenses (e.g. energy cost, school fees). Participation in SNAP, WIC, school food and financial assistance programs remained consistent between times baseline and follow-up. Conclusions and Implications: Households can often manage until an unexpected expense upsets planned budgets and strategies. Reducing income volatility, helping to limit expenses (e.g., providing affordable health care,
Poster Abstracts S53
improving affordability of housing, strengthening resource management skills), and offering emergency financial assistance as a needed buffer may enable households to improve and maintain their food security. Funding: University of Kentucky Center for Poverty Research.
P111 Chronic Disease Risk Factors Among Adults Living in a Food Desert Highlight the Need for Nutrition Education Serah Theuri, PhD, RD, [email protected], University of Southern Indiana, 8600 University Boulevard, Evansville, IN 47712 Objective: To assess chronic disease risk factors among low-income adults living in a food desert in a southwestern urban community. Design, Setting and Participants: Cross-section study of low-income adults from the University of Southern Indiana Community Health Centers. Participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire during scheduled medical appointment and submitted to clinical assessment. Dietary assessment was conducted using MEDFICTS. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Body weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, plasma glucose, glucose A1c, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured or obtained from the patient’s medical chart. Standard descriptive analysis, independent sample t-tests, and Spearman’s correlation analysis were conducted using SPSS 21. Results: In the 32 patient sample, 71.9%; P < .013 were women. Education level ranged from less than high school (21.9%) to some college education (43.8%). Majority (59.3%; P < .007) of participants were unemployed, and lived below poverty level. Poor glucose control was higher (7.91 1.98) among patients with more than high school education. Overall, obesity rate was high (39.74 7.26). Weekly consumption of cheese (P ¼ .04) and fried foods (P ¼ .05) was significantly different by educational level. Food serving size for eggs (P ¼ .003) and fried foods (P ¼ .02) was significantly different by educational level. Conclusions and Implications: Findings highlight the staggering rates of morbid obesity and poor glucose control among the study sample. The findings underscore a pressing need to provide free nutrition education to manage weight and glucose A1c. Funding: University of Southern Indiana FRCWA Fund.
P112 Breakfast Skipping and Academic Performance Among Senior Secondary School Students in Lagos, Nigeria Ifeoma Akeredolu, PhD, [email protected], Yaba College of Technology, YABA Lagos, 234, Nigeria; J. Okafor, PhD, Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro; P. Mbah, PhD, Federal University of Agriculture, Umudike; T. Ajagbe, BS Objective: To assess the influence of skipping breakfast on academic performance of secondary school students. Continued on page S54