Food acquisition methods and correlates of food insecurity in adults on probation in Rhode Island

Abstract

BackgroundIndividuals under community corrections supervision may be at increased risk for food insecurity because they face challenges similar to other marginalized populations, such as people experiencing housing instability or substance users. The prevalence of food insecurity and its correlates have not been studied in the community corrections population.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study in 2016, surveying 304 probationers in Rhode Island to estimate the prevalence of food insecurity, identify food acquisition methods, and determine characteristics of groups most at-risk for food insecurity. We used chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests to assess differences in sociodemographics and eating and food acquisition patterns, GIS to examine geospatial differences, and ordinal logistic regression to identify independent correlates across the four levels of food security.ResultsNearly three-quarters (70.4%) of the participants experienced food insecurity, with almost half (48.0%) having very low food security. This is substantially higher than the general population within the state of Rhode Island, which reported a prevalence of 12.8% food insecurity with 6.1% very low food security in 2016. Participants with very low food security most often acquired lunch foods from convenience stores (and less likely from grocery stores) compared to the other three levels of food security. Participants did not differ significantly with regards to places for food acquisition related to breakfast or dinner meals based upon food security status. In adjusted models, being homeless (AOR 2.34, 95% CI: 1.31, 4.18) and depressed (AOR 3.12, 95% CI: 1.98, 4.91) were independently associated with a greater odds of being in a food insecure group. Compared to having help with meals none of the time, participants who reported having meal help all of the time (AOR 0.28, 95% CI: 0.12, 0.64), most of the time (AOR 0.31, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.61), and some of the time (AOR 0.54, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.98) had a lower odds of being in a food insecure group. Food insecure participants resided in different neighborhoods than food secure participants. The highest density of food insecure participants resided in census tracts with the lowest median incomes for the general population. The areas of highest density for each level of food security for our participants were in the census tracts with the lowest levels of full-time employment for the general population.ConclusionsThe prevalence of food insecurity and very low food security were markedly higher in our probation population compared to the general RI population. These findings suggest that access to food on a regular basis is a challenge for adults on probation. Depression and being homeless were independently associated with a greater odds of being in a food insecure group. In addition to intervening directly on food insecurity, developing interventions and policies that address the contributing factors of food insecurity, such as safe housing and treatment for depression, are critical.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Depression, Anxiety, and Sleep Disorders in US Adults with Food Insecurity

“…Four depression studies and two sleep studies had overlapping data; the most recent study in pairs of overlapping studies was kept. [39][40][41][42][43][44] Most studies had a wide age range, while only a few studies provided data on agespecific groups: five studies on 50+-year-old adults and six on Figure 1 Flow diagram for the search and study selection processes.…”

“…2), the OR was 2.74 [95% CI 2.52-2.97, Q(df = 41) = 69, I 2 = 40%]. 40,41, One study was divided into two groups for the meta-analysis. 76 Thirteen studies (n = 5837) ( Fig.…”

The Effect of Housing Circumstances on Recidivism: Evidence From a Sample of People on Probation in San Francisco

“…What limited research has been conducted with people on probation has found that housing is also a priority issue among this groups. In a survey of people on probation in Rhode Island ( n = 304), more than 20% reported being homeless (Dong et al, 2018a; see, also, Dong et al, 2018b). We know of no study to date that has captured living situation or housing instability among people on probation.…”

Environmental Health Burdens and Socioeconomic Status in Rhode Island: Using Geographic Information Systems to Examine Health Disparities in Medical School

“…Dong et al also examined Rhode Island using GIS as a tool [28]. However, their focus was on food insecurity among adults who are on probation.…”