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

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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.

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Notes

  1. The SNAP, formerly identified as the Food Stamp Program, provides food-purchasing assistance to low-income individuals living in the US.

  2. The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC is a US federal grant-funded program that provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women. This funding also provides for infants and children up to age five (found to be at nutritional risk).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 319 College Avenue, 318 Stone Building, Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA

    D. L. Nunnery, L. A. Haldeman & J. M. Dharod

  2. Department of Public Health Education, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 437D HHP, PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC, 27408, USA

    S. D. Morrison

  3. Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 339 Stone Building, Greensboro, NC, 27412, USA

    J. M. Dharod

Authors
  1. D. L. Nunnery
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  2. L. A. Haldeman
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  3. S. D. Morrison
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  4. J. M. Dharod
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Correspondence to J. M. Dharod.

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Nunnery, D.L., Haldeman, L.A., Morrison, S.D. et al. Food Insecurity and Budgeting Among Liberians in the US: How are They Related to Socio-demographic and Pre-resettlement Characteristics. J Immigrant Minority Health 17, 506–512 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-9993-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-9993-y

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