Interpretations of the “Balanced Meal” Household Food Security Indicator

The study objective was to quantify interpretations of the term “balanced meals” used in food security status assessments. Telephone interviews included 77 charitable food recipients in Hawai'i. After participants first responded to the question of whether they could afford to eat balanced meals, they next defined what a “balanced meal” meant. Qualitative responses were categorized into common themes. Forty-one (53%) indicated that a balanced meal consisted of at least three food groups. Thirty-one (40%) indicated something other than three food groups; five (6%) had no idea what a “balanced meal” meant. The findings question the validity and reliability of responses to “balanced meal” food security indicators in Hawai'i.