title: Food insecurity and socio-demographic characteristics in two UK ethnic groups: an analysis of women in the Born in Bradford cohort.
abstract: The use of foodbanks has risen sharply in the UK; however, the epidemiology of UK food insecurity is undeveloped. This study contributes to the field by analysing socio-demographic risk factors for food insecurity in a female, ethnically diverse population.
  
  
  
  Data from the Born in Bradford (BiB) cohort were matched with data on food insecurity from the nested BiB1000 study (N = 1280). Logistic regression was used to model food insecurity in relation to ethnicity and socio-demographic factors.
  
  
  
  Food insecurity, reported by 13.98% of the sample, was more likely among White British than Pakistani women (crude Odds Ratio (OR) 1.94, 95% CI: 1.37; 2.74, adjusted OR 2.37, 95% CI: 1.57; 3.59). In fully adjusted analyses, food insecurity was associated with a range of socio-economic measures, particularly the receipt of mean-tested benefits (adjusted OR 2.11, 95% CI: 1.41; 3.15) and perception of financial insecurity (adjusted OR 8.91, 95% CI: 4.14; 19.16 for finding it difficult/very difficult compared to living comfortably).
  
  
  
  The finding that food insecurity prevalence may be higher than previously thought and that food insecurity is highly associated with socio-economic status, notably benefit receipt, is a cause for concern necessitating an urgent policy response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, YorkYO10 5DD, UK.
authors.forename: Madeleine
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Power
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, YorkYO10 5DD, UK.
authors.forename: Eleonora P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Uphoff
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford BD5 0BB, UK.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stewart-Knox
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford BD5 0BB, UK.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Small
authors.affiliation: The York Management School, University of York, Freboys Lane, York YO10 5GD, UK.
authors.forename: Bob
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Doherty
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, YorkYO10 5DD, UK.
authors.forename: Kate E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Pickett
mesh_terms: D005006:Ethnicity; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D010154:Pakistan / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D044465:White People