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Title: PERCEPTIONS OF FOOD INSECURITY AMONG LOW INCOME SOUTHERN CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Author
item CONNELL, CAROL - DELTA NIRI
item LOFTON, K - DELTA NIRI
item YADRICK, M - DELTA NIRI
item REHNER, T - DELTA NIRI

Submitted to: Journal Of The American Dietetic Association
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2003
Publication Date: 9/1/2003
Citation: Connell, C.L., Lofton, K.L., Yadrick, M.K., Rehner, T.A. 2003. Perceptions of food insecurity among low income southern children and youth [abstract]. Journal of the American Dietetic Association. 103(9)(Supplement 1):A82.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Learning outcome: To describe perceptions of food insecurity and understanding of terms used in the USDA food security survey among a sample of low-income children in a southern state. Text: Knowledge about children's perceptions of food insecurity and about the age at which they become aware of household food insecurity is essential for developing survey questions that can be administered directly to children and adolescents. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 29 low-income children (17 African American, 12 Caucasian, 15 male, 14 female) 11-16 years old attending two after school programs located in a mid-size central city and a rural middle school. The purposes of the interviews were to determine the age at which children begin to recognize food insecurity, to elicit their perceptions of food insecurity, and to determine their comprehension of standard terms used in the USDA Food Security Survey. Children under 12 had difficulty describing food insecurity, possibly because they were sheltered from food shortages in the household by parents or older siblings. Children age 11-13 seemed to be unaware of parental anxiety about running out of food at the household level but could describe coping mechanism used once food shortages occurred. Children age 14-16 seemed to be included in, or overheard parents' discussions about running out of food and were themselves involved in coping with food insecurity. 'Balanced meal' was a problematic term for children to interpret. Older children were better able to interpret the term 'low-cost' particularly if they were included in parental discussions of food insecurity. Results will be used to modify and test the USDA Food Security Survey Module for use children and adolescents. Supported in part by ERS/USDA cooperative agreement no. 43-3AEM-2-80033.