Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health

, Volume 17, Issue 2, pp 506–512 | Cite as

Food Insecurity and Budgeting Among Liberians in the US: How are They Related to Socio-demographic and Pre-resettlement Characteristics

  • D. L. Nunnery
  • L. A. Haldeman
  • S. D. Morrison
  • J. M. Dharod
Original Paper
First Online:

Abstract

Objectives of this study: (1) Examine food insecurity (FI) prevalence and its relationship with sociodemographic and pre-resettlement characteristics; (2) Investigate differences in amount of money spent on food/month by food security status and socio-demographic characteristics. A pilot study with semi-structured in-home interviews was conducted with Liberian caregivers (n = 33). FI was indicated in 61 % of households. FI was higher among women >40, had ≤ high school education and those making ≤$1,000/month. Women arriving in US >15 years of age were more likely to be food insecure. Participants spent an average $109/month on groceries/member. Food insecure women, and those without a car spent more money on food (P < .10). Liberian women in this sample experience high levels of FI upon resettlement. Besides poor economic conditions, pre-resettlement characteristics were associated with food security status. These findings call for future research to understand how preresettlement conditions affect food choices, budgeting and thereby food security status.

Keywords

Food insecurity Refugees Liberian Pre-resettlement Budget 
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014

Authors and Affiliations

  • D. L. Nunnery
    • 1
  • L. A. Haldeman
    • 1
  • S. D. Morrison
    • 2
  • J. M. Dharod
    • 1
    • 3
  1. 1.Department of NutritionUniversity of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboroUSA
  2. 2.Department of Public Health EducationUniversity of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboroUSA
  3. 3.Department of NutritionUniversity of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboroUSA

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