Work

Measuring Food Security among American Indian and Alaska Native Adults: Validity Evidence Supports the Use of the US Department of Agriculture Module

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Inequities in access, availability, and affordability of nutritious foods produced by settler colonialism contribute to high rates of food insecurity among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) households. Efforts to understand the influences of food security programming among AI/AN individuals in the United States are constrained by the absence of validity evidence for food security assessments for this population. OBJECTIVE: This study assessed whether AI/AN adult responses on the Food Security Survey Module provide an accurate assessment of food security prevalence, especially when compared with other racial and ethnic groups. DESIGN: A correlational design with the cross-sectional 2019 National Health Interview Survey was used to address the research objective. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: The 2019 National Health Interview Survey contains a sample (N = 30,052) representative of the resident civilian noninstitutionalized population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was food security, as characterized by the 10-item US Department of Agriculture Adult Food Security Survey Module. The module evaluates whether insufficient finances result in perceived food shortages and a reduction in the quantity and/or quality of food intake during the prior 30 days. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: tests). RESULTS: Results supported the use of the 10-item module for racial and ethnic groups. However, differential item functioning effect sizes exceeded criteria for the Asian, AI/AN, and Hispanic respondents when compared with White respondents. Food security was not significantly related to all expected correlates in the AI/AN subsample. CONCLUSIONS: Compelling evidence is presented for validity of the FSSM scores in determining food security status of AI/AN adults. Qualitative inquiry that explores how culture influences the way food security is conceptualized and experienced is warranted.

Source: Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.02.017

Authors: Cassandra J. Nguyen, Brian F. French, Tara L. Maudrie, Gary L. Ferguson, Valarie Blue Bird Jernigan, Ka`imi A. Sinclair

Institutions: Washington State University, Johns Hopkins University, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,740