Abstract
Food-insecure individuals' food acquisition practices can result in inadequate nutrition, consumption of unsafe foods, and risky behaviors. A survey instrument was developed to collect sociodemographic information and frequency of engagement in different practices. After expert review, cognitive interviewing and pretesting, data were collected from 10 individuals/site at 50 emergency food providers. Descriptive analysis was performed and prevalence of each practice was ascertained for 3 time periods. Participants confirmed use of 78 practices with 50% using 19. Sixty-three percent posed a potential risk, including eating road kill, going to prison to obtain meals, and diluting foods (like baby formula) to extend them. Prevalence and riskiness of practices used by the food-insecure can inform policy and public health decisions regarding issues of food insecurity.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 27-44 |
Number of pages | 18 |
Journal | Journal of Hunger and Environmental Nutrition |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2011 |
Keywords
- Coping behavior
- Emergency food providers
- Food acquisition practices
- Food insecurity
- Hunger
- Policy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health(social science)
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health