Household Food Insecurity Is Associated with Self-Rated Health Status among Single Mothers in Alabama's Black Belt Counties.

Abstract

This study was conducted in Alabama's Black Belt Counties to examine the association between household food insecurity and self-reported health status. Data were collected from 400 households to measure household food insecurity and self-reported general health status using the U.S. Food Security Module. In bivariate analyses, household food insecurity was significantly associated with health status as some mothers from food insecure households were significantly more likely to rate their health as fair/poor. In regression analysis model controlling for potentially confounding variables, household food insecurity was still associated with poor self-reported health status. Food intake of some household members was reduced, and their eating patterns disrupted at times because the household lacked money for obtaining food. Policy changes to increase economic resources and access to federal food programs are needed to reduce household food insecurity in this region. Gendered experiences in the context of consequences of poverty should not be ignored.