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Beyond Income: What Else Predicts Very Low Food Security Among Children?

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  • Patricia M. Anderson
  • Kristin F. Butcher
  • Hilary W. Hoynes
  • Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach

Abstract

We examine characteristics and correlates of households in the United States that are most likely to have children at risk of inadequate nutrition—those that report very low food security (VLFS) among their children. Using 11 years of the Current Population Survey, plus data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we describe these households in great detail with the goal of trying to understand how these households differ from households without such severe food insecurity. While household income certainly plays an important role in determining VLFS among children, we find that even after flexibly controlling for income‐to‐poverty rates some household characteristics and patterns of program participation have important additional explanatory power. Finally, our examination of the NHANES data suggests an important role for both mental and physical health of adults in the household in determining the food security status of children.

Suggested Citation

  • Patricia M. Anderson & Kristin F. Butcher & Hilary W. Hoynes & Diane Whitmore Schanzenbach, 2016. "Beyond Income: What Else Predicts Very Low Food Security Among Children?," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 82(4), pages 1078-1105, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:82:y:2016:i:4:p:1078-1105
    DOI: 10.1002/soej.12079
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Fitzpatrick, Katie, 2024. "Non-bank credit and food hardship: The association between payday loans, pawn loans, rent-to-own contracts and food hardship in households with children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    3. Lucía I. Floríndez & Daniella C. Floríndez & Mia E. Price & Francesca M. Floríndez & Dominique H. Como & Jose C. Polido & Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati & Elizabeth Pyatak & Sharon A. Cermak, 2021. "Exploring Eating Challenges and Food Selectivity for Latinx Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Qualitative Visual Methodology: Implications for Oral Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Otto Lenhart, 2023. "The earned income tax credit and food insecurity," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 105(5), pages 1543-1570, October.
    5. Lauren A. Clay & Mia A. Papas & Kimberly B. Gill & David M. Abramson, 2018. "Factors Associated with Continued Food Insecurity among Households Recovering from Hurricane Katrina," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-10, August.

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