Work

Poor health and food insecurity among food assistance recipients: Evidence from France

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between food insecurity and poor health among food assistance recipients in France using a dataset collected in 2021 from nearly 4,000 respondents. For these individuals from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, food assistance may eliminate the association between food insecurity and health reported in surveys of the general population. Regression estimates show a strong positive association between food insecurity and poor health (self-reported health, chronic disease, activity limitation). This correlation is significantly higher for native respondents than for migrants. After accounting for the endogeneity of food insecurity through a free-instrument approach that estimates bounds, we confirm the positive association between food insecurity and poor health. The low frequency of visits to food banks may explain why food insecurity persists among participants and continues to affect health.

Source: Food Policy

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2025.102895

Authors: Romane Vandroux, François-Charles Wolff

Institutions: Université Catholique de Lille, Laboratoire d'Economie et de Management de Nantes Atlantique, Nantes Université

Language: English

Topic: Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, No poverty, Zero hunger

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,330