Factors associated with dietary intake of low income African American female caretakers

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Lindsay N. Hecht (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Lauren Haldeman

Abstract: "African American (AA) females are at a high risk for poverty and poor health status. A nutrition needs assessment was conducted with a convenience sample (N=100) of AA female caretakers of children < 12 years recruited from Guilford County, NC's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC). Survey components included socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, chronic disease state, nutrition knowledge, dietary intake, food security, and Food Stamp and WIC participation. Body Mass Index was calculated from measured heights and weights. The sample consists primarily of AA women aged 30 years, living in low-income households (average $1400 ± 819 per month) with 4 household members. Eighty-four percent and 87% had or were currently receiving Food Stamps and WIC, respectively. Fifty-seven percent of households were food secure, 26% food insecure without hunger, 16% food insecure with moderate hunger and 1.1% food insecure with severe hunger. Health status among this group is poor with 75% of respondents being overweight/obese. Bivariate analyses revealed no association between household food security and respondent obesity. High levels of food security suggest government assistance program participation may offset food insecurity in this population. However, overweight/obesity is higher than the national levels. Despite food security status, low income AA females still present with high rates of obesity, suggesting interventions should focus on nutrition knowledge."--Abstract from author supplied metadata.

Additional Information

Publication
Thesis
Language: English
Date: 2006
Keywords
African American, females, high risk, poverty, health, nutrition, Guilford County, NC, Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC), socioeconomic, demographic, Food stamp, Body Mass Index
Subjects
African American women--Nutrition--North Carolina--Guilford County
African American mothers--Nutrition--North Carolina--Guilford County
Poor women--Nutrition--North Carolina--Guilford County

Email this document to