Author and graduation date: Marie AMBROSE, May, 2001

Committee members: Audrey Spindler (Chair), Patricia Patterson

Thesis title: Food Insecurity in Three At-risk Populations Currently Receiving Food Assistance in San Diego County

Food insecurity exists when the ability to acquire acceptable, nutritionally adequate, or safe food is limited or uncertain and may have severe consequences. Populations at-risk for food insecurity include low-income, those who are ill, minorities, elders, women who have young children, and children. A 1999 report by the U.S.D.A. found 36% of U.S. households were food insecure between 1996 and 1998 and 40% of the food insecure population were children. In California, it is estimated that 11.4% are food insecure, of whom 3.5% were food insecure with hunger. Populations at-risk include women with young children and teenagers who live in the western United States, and elders with incomes not exceeding 150% of the poverty level. Supported by the San Diego Hunger Coalition and using an instrument developed by the U.S.D.A., convenience samples were recruited to estimate the effectiveness of three food assistance programs [Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC), the Brown Bag Program (BB), and the Elderly Nutrition Program (ENP)] in reducing food insecurity in these populations. Only adult women currently receiving food vouchers [N = 218] were included in the survey. But, other programs included both genders [ENP = 49 M, 49 W; BB = 26 M, 89 W]. The combined rate of observed food insecurity with and without hunger was higher than both state (+ 36.9%) and national (+40%) estimates. The percentages of those who were food insecure without hunger, were: WIC = 33%, BB = 31%, ENP = 11%, or with hunger: WIC = 22%, BB = 33%, ENP = 12%. The rate of food insecurity in both forms was significantly (p = 0.0001) lower for the ENP participants than in BB or WIC participants. Rates for food insecurity were highest among Latino and mixed race groups, followed by Blacks and lowest among White and Native Americans. Respondents who were food secure had more years of education (p = 0.0305), smaller household sizes (p = 0.058) and they were older (p = 0.006) than respondents in other groups. The level of food security/insecurity was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.0327), ethnicity (p = 0.004), years of education (p = 0.005), and income (p = 0.017) in the populations studied. Men were less likely to be food insecure than women (43% v. 52%). The highest rate of food insecurity with hunger was found in African Americans and was higher than national estimates (32% v. 13%). Participants in the BB program had both the lowest mean years of education and income, while also having the highest rate of food insecurity. In addition, significant differences were found when those who were food secure were compared to those who were food insecure with hunger by length of participation time (p = 0.025), and perceived health status (p = 0.014). These findings are similar to national estimates, however the rates are higher in San Diego.

Click here to return to the Completed Master Degree Theses in Nutritional Science Table of Contents