Household Food Insecurity Predictive of Health Status in Early Adolescence? A Structural Analysis Using the 2002 NSAF Data Set

Abstract

We used data from the 2002 National Survey of American Families to examine a structural model of the relations among food insecurity, poor nutritional status, parental mental health problems, quality of parenting, adolescents’ emotional distress, and poor health status for a national sample of 5366 12-to-14 year-olds. The results revealed that: first, food insecurity was associated with elevated levels of parental mental health problems, diminished quality of parenting, elevated levels of adolescents’ emotional problems, and higher incidence of poor nutritional and health statuses. Second, parental mental health problems were associated with diminished quality of parenting and higher incidence of poor health status; and quality of parenting had a negative effect on emotional distress, but not on health status. Finally, poor nutritional status was associated with elevated levels of emotional distress and higher incidence of poor health status; and emotional distress was predictive of poor health status. The findings of this study highlight the mediating role of nutritional status, parenting factors and adolescents’ emotional well-being in the link between food insecurity and health; and point to the complex interaction between food insecurity and health status.

Does Food Insecurity Affect Parental Characteristics and Child Behavior? Testing Mediation Effects

“…Although not focused on child behavior problems, the study by Ashiabi and O’Neal (2007) also provides evidence for a mediation mechanism. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), Ashiabi and O’Neal (2007) test several potential mediators between food insecurity and adolescent global health status.…”

“…Studies by Godwin Ashiabi and Keri O’Neal (2007, 2008) provide empirical support for the mechanism hypothesized by Campbell (1991). In contrast to Campbell’s model, however, Ashiabi and O’Neal’s study includes measures of the quality of parenting and parents’ mental health status.…”

“…Children living with food insecurity may have nutritional deficiencies (Olson 1999; Cook et al 2004; Ashiabi and O’Neal 2007) and lower nutrition intake than those without food insecurity (Rose 1999). A child’s physical health also can be influenced by food insecurity; Katherine Alaimo and colleagues (Alaimo, Olson, and Frongillo 2001; Alaimo, Olson, Frongillo, and Briefel 2001) argue that food-insecure children experience more frequent stomachaches, headaches, and colds than do children in households without food insecurity.…”

“…Several studies examine the role of parental characteristics in food insecurity’s effects on children (e.g., Slack and Yoo 2005; Ashiabi and O’Neal 2007). Using data from the Illinois Family Study, Slack and Yoo (2005) measure externalizing and internalizing behavior problems for two different age groups (ages 3–5 and 6–12).…”

“…Using structural equation modeling (SEM), Ashiabi and O’Neal (2007) test several potential mediators between food insecurity and adolescent global health status. Included among these potential mediators is the quality of parenting and parental mental health problems.…”