Differences in socioeconomic, dietary choice, and nutrition environment explanatory variables for food and nutrition security among households with and without children

Authors: Thomson, Jessica; LANDRY, ALICIA - University Of Central Arkansas; Walls, Tameka

Submitted to: Nutrients
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2024
Publication Date: 3/19/2024
Citation: Thomson, J.L., Landry, A., Walls, T.I. 2024. Differences in socioeconomic, dietary choice, and nutrition environment explanatory variables for food and nutrition security among households with and without children. Nutrients. 16(6):883. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060883.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16060883

Interpretive Summary: Food security has been defined as “access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life” and is a well-established measure for assessing a household’s ability to acquire enough food to satisfy hunger. Nutrition security has been defined as “having consistent access, availability, and affordability of foods and beverages that promote well-being and prevent (and if needed, treat) disease” and is seen as the next step in addressing imbalances in nutrition quality and diet-related diseases. However, similarities and dissimilarities between food and nutrition security in terms of associations with food choice have yet to be determined. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify and compare socioeconomic, food choice, and nutrition environment variables for food and nutrition security between households with and without children. Food insecurity rates were 74% and 64% in households with and without children, respectively. Nutrition insecurity rates were 38% and 30% in households with and without children, respectively. For both household types, the likelihood of food and nutrition security increased as dietary choice increased. In households with children, the likelihood of food security decreased as processed meals and utilization barriers to healthful meals increased. Likewise, in households without children, the likelihood of food security decreased as utilization barriers increased. In households with children, the likelihood of nutrition security increased as income and healthfulness choice increased. Nutrition security was twice as likely in households without children who viewed their nutrition environment as having low (vs high) limited availability of foods. Having control over choice in foods consumed is a powerful and critical factor of food and nutrition security in households at risk of or experiencing food insecurity. More control over choice in healthful foods plays an important role in nutrition security for households with children while perception of food availability seems more important for households without children. Thus, the presence of children may need to be considered when designing interventions or proposing policy to reduce food and nutrition security.

Technical Abstract: The study purpose was to compare socioeconomic, food choice, and nutrition environment variables associated with food and nutrition security in households with and without children. Data were collected in 2021 and consisted of households at risk of or experiencing food insecurity. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify significant explanatory variables for food and nutrition security by household type – with or without children (<18 years of age). Food in-security rates were 74% and 64% in households with and without children, respectively. Nutrition insecurity rates were 38% and 30% in households with and without children, respectively. For both household types, greater dietary choice increased odds (4-15 times) of food and nutrition security. In households with children, more fast-food meals increased odds (60%) of food security, while more processed meals and greater utilization barriers to healthful meals decreased odds (40%-50%). Greater utilization barriers also decreased odds (20%) of food security in households without children. In households with children, higher income and greater healthfulness choice increased odds (20% and 3 times) of nutrition security, while low (vs high) perceived limited availability of foods doubled odds in households without children. Dietary choice is a consistent and important factor for food and nutrition security.