Description
Food insecurity is a complex public health issue experienced by 14.6% of households in the United States. These households are unable to access sufficient, safe, nutritious food to maintain a healthy and active life. Many negative health consequences are associated with food insecurity including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, food allergies, depression, increased stress, increased risky sexual behavior, lowered immune system, overweight, and obesity. Children experience a number of problems including impaired growth, increased behavioral problems, and decreased ability to work with other children. This study used data from the 2007 California Health Interview Survey to examine whether there is a relationship between individual, interpersonal, and environmental variables and food security after controlling for income. The relationship of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation to individual, interpersonal, and environmental variables was also examined. In order to address the posed research questions, crude bivariate and adjusted multivariate regressions were performed on a sample of 13,076 low-income adults (200% Federal Poverty Level) representing 44 regions of California. Results indicated significant relationships that support income as an important food security indicator; however, variables exclusively related to food security status were also identified including education level, smoking status, fruit and vegetable consumption, risk of psychological distress, body mass index, number of yearly physician visits, marital status, and cell phone ownership.
