A Path Analysis of Recurrently Food-Insecure Canadians Discerns Employment, Income, and Negative Health Effects

Abstract

This study examined the determinants of recurrent food insecurity as an indicator of persistent poverty. Cohort data were extracted from 1998 to 1999 to 2006 to 2007 of the Canadian National Population Health Survey. A path analysis model examined the direct effects of sociodemographic, employment, and health variables on being recurrently food insecure (one third of the cohort), and their indirect effects mediated through permanent income. Path modeling revealed that less frequent employment and negative health status affected becoming recurrently food insecure through their effects on income. The total effects of these variables conferred additional disadvantage beyond income loss among recurrently food-insecure individuals.

KEYWORDS:

• poverty
• food insecurity
• health
• employment
• housing

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research operating grant MOP-89731.