Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 20, Issue 1, 2018, Pages 194-202

Longitudinal Trajectories of Food Insecurity Among Children of Immigrants (Article)

Miller D.P.* , Chang J. , Ha Y. , Sprague Martinez L.
  • a Boston University School of Social Work, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, United States
  • b Boston University School of Social Work, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, United States
  • c Boston University School of Social Work, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, United States
  • d Boston University School of Social Work, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, United States

Abstract

Although research consistently points to higher rates of food insecurity (FI) among children of immigrants (COI), this is the first study to examine longitudinal trajectories of FI for this group. We used growth curve modeling and data from the 1998 Early Childhood Longitudinal Study—Kindergarten Cohort to compare trajectories of FI for COI and children of U.S.-born parents. After controlling for socioeconomic status and participation in nutrition programs, first- and second-generation COI had significantly higher initial and ongoing rates of FI compared to children of U.S.-born parents. Additional analyses found that all differences between COI and children of U.S.-born parents occurred for families in poverty. We find that COI from poor families have higher rates of FI, with some differences among COI by immigrant generation. Policymakers may need to focus on avenues other than public assistance to reduce FI among COI living in poverty. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Food insecurity immigrants Children of immigrants Child food insecurity Longitudinal analysis

Index Keywords

male Emigrants and Immigrants female preschool child Food Supply Child, Preschool longitudinal study questionnaire Longitudinal Studies catering service United States human Humans migrant Surveys and Questionnaires
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84994464245&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-016-0516-x&partnerID=40&md5=0d70009528730dab14264ed4f3cfe616
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-016-0516-x
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English