title: Examining effects of food insecurity and food choices on health outcomes in households in poverty.
abstract: Evidence documenting effects of food assistance programs, household food insecurity, and nutrition knowledge on health outcomes is building. Using data from a sub-sample of adults who are 185% of the poverty line from the 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (N = 2,171), we examine whether household food insecurity, food stamp take-up, and use of informal food supports are associated with health risk among low-income households. Findings indicate that while nutrition knowledge provides protection against health risk in food secure households, the health benefits of nutrition knowledge were not evident in food insecure households. We discuss these findings in light of current policy and practice interventions that recognize the importance of providing healthy, affordable food options for food insecure households.
authors.affiliation: a Graduate School of Social Work , Boston College , Chestnut Hill , Massachusetts , USA.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lombe
authors.affiliation: b Jane Addams College of Social Work , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , Illinois , USA.
authors.forename: Von Eugene
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Nebbitt
authors.affiliation: b Jane Addams College of Social Work , University of Illinois at Chicago , Chicago , Illinois , USA.
authors.forename: Aakanksha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.affiliation: a Graduate School of Social Work , Boston College , Chestnut Hill , Massachusetts , USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reynolds
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002755:Choice Behavior; D004032:Diet; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences; D005523:Food Supply; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011203:Poverty; D012946:Social Welfare; D014481:United States; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Food insecurity; SNAP participation; food stamps; health care; health outcomes; informal food supports; nutrition education; poor households