Financial Well-being and Health-Related Quality of Life are Associated with Transitions in Food Insecurity Status among Recipients of Charitable Food Assistance in Atlanta, GA and Houston, TX.
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: The literature on the determinants of US food insecurity is extensive. Yet, the research on transitions in food insecurity, especially among a group especially at-risk of food insecurity, recipients of charitable food assistance (CFA), is more limited.
Objectives: This study examines changes in financial well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as correlates of transitions in food insecurity status among CFA recipients.
Design: Survey data was collected 6 months apart during 2022 and 2023. Food insecurity measured at both time points using the 18-item USDA Food Security Scale Module. At both time points, recipients reported on their financial well-being using a 10-item scale and their HRQoL using three measures: global health and the number of physical and mental unhealthy days. Other time-varying and time invariant variables are also included.
Participants: Recipients of CFA (n=777) were recruited and surveyed from 10 food pantries in Atlanta, Georgia and 10 food pantries in Houston, Texas. Participants were followed up 6 months later. The sample is composed of those who participated in both surveys.
Main outcome measures: Marginal food insecurity, food insecurity, very low food security STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Standard descriptive statistics are displayed along with results from two-way fixed effects models.
Results: Over a six-month period, 21.5% of respondents saw a change in marginal food insecurity, 24.1% in food insecurity, and 14.0% in very low food security. These changes were associated with changes in in the number of days the respondent reported having trouble with mental health in the past 30 days and perceptions of financial well-being.
Conclusions: These results demonstrate that practitioners, such as dietitians, should be aware that food insecurity status among a group at high-risk of food insecurity frequently changed over a short period. These changes were associated with factors potentially trackable by dietitians in community settings, which may facilitate the distribution of appropriate resources more quickly.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the premier source for the practice and science of food, nutrition, and dietetics. The monthly, peer-reviewed journal presents original articles prepared by scholars and practitioners and is the most widely read professional publication in the field. The Journal focuses on advancing professional knowledge across the range of research and practice issues such as: nutritional science, medical nutrition therapy, public health nutrition, food science and biotechnology, foodservice systems, leadership and management, and dietetics education.