Psychometric properties of a modified US-household food security survey module in Campinas, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the internal validity of a multiple-item measure of household food security in Brazil using statistical methods based on the single-parameter logistic (Rasch) measurement model. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Sample of the non-institutionalized civilian population living in the municipality of Campinas selected using stratified cluster sampling. Of the 1000 households randomly chosen, 847 responded to the interview. Responses to each of the 15 questions were coded into dichotomous items indicating whether the specific food-insecure condition had occurred (other than in just 1 or 2 days) during the 3 months before the survey. Scaling analyses were conducted separately as well as jointly for adult/household-related items and child-related items. Item-fit statistics were examined to determine the extent to which the items appear to measure the same underlying phenomenon, and item severity scores were compared with those of equivalent items in the US Current Population Survey. CONCLUSIONS: Except for one item, infit statistics were within a range considered adequate (0.80-1.2), indicating a common phenomenon being measured with approximately equal discrimination. The relative severities of the items in the Campinas survey were generally similar to those of equivalent items in the US Current Population Survey. Analysis of all 15 items together indicates a higher severity level for child-related items compared with equivalent adult-related items.

Food insecurity and household food supplies in rural Ecuador

The objective of this research is to assess the validity of a modified US Household Food Security Survey Module (HFSSM) through its correlation with food supply and demographic factors, and its fitness using Rasch model analysis in rural Ecuador. This study examines the relationship between household food insecurity and household food supplies in 52 Ecuadorian households. The sample was drawn from four rural communities participating in the project PLAN in Cantón Quijos. Questionnaires included a modified HFSSM, a household food shelf-inventory and demographic characteristics. Multiple ANOVA analysis resulted in statistically significant inverse relationships between household food insecurity and total food supply, as well as the supply of meat, vegetables, legumes, oils, and other food products (p=0.05). Rasch model measure values on the HFSSM illustrated food insecurity at different levels of severity. The majority of the items (>75%) presented adequate infit values. This study affirms that the proposed modified HFSSM may be useful to measure food insecurity and thus be used as a tool to monitor and evaluate programs aimed at improving quantity and variety of food items in rural Ecuador.

Inseguridad alimentaria y suministro de alimentos en hogares rurales de Ecuador. El objetivo de esta investigación es evaluar la validez de una escala doméstica de seguridad alimentaria modificada (HFSSM – en inglés: Household Food Security Survey Module) por medio de su correlación con el suministro de alimentos y características demográficas, así como su ajuste al modelo de Rasch en un área rural de Ecuador. En este estudio examinamos la relación entre la inseguridad alimentaria doméstica y el suministro de alimentos del hogar en 52 familias ecuatorianas. La muestra fue sacada de cuatro comunidades rurales participantes en el proyecto PLAN en el Cantón Quijos. Los cuestionarios aplicados incluyeron la HFSSM modificada, un inventario de despensa del hogar y características sociodemográficas. El análisis estadístico usando un modelo de ANOVA múltiple, mostró resultados inversamente significativos en la relación entre el nivel de seguridad alimentaria doméstica y el número total de alimentos disponibles, así como respecto a el suministro de carnes, verduras, legumbres, grasas y otros alimentos (p=0.05). Los valores de medida (measure values) de los insumos en la HFSSM usando el modelo Rasch muestran que la inseguridad alimentaria se presenta a diferentes niveles de severidad. La mayoría de las preguntas (>75%) presentaron valores de infit apropiados. Este estudio confirma que la HFSSM modificada puede ser útil para medir la inseguridad alimentaria y por eso puede ser usada como una herramienta para monitorear y evaluar programas enfocados en mejorar la cantidad y variedad de alimentos en el área rural de Ecuador.

Acculturation of Mexican-American mothers influences child feeding strategies.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of maternal acculturation level on child feeding strategies and anthropometry in preschoolers from low-income Mexican-American families. DESIGN/SUBJECTS: Data are from a cross-sectional survey of 238 low-income Mexican-American families with preschool children living in California during 1998. Interviewers collected data from the mothers on child-feeding practices and weighed and measured the children in their homes. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Spearman's correlation coefficients, analysis of variance, and chi 2 were used to examine the relationship pf maternal acculturation level with feeding strategies and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Compared with more acculturated mothers, less acculturated mothers tend to offer alternative foods more often when their children refuse to eat. More acculturated women are less likely to view bribes, threats, and punishments as effective strategies and are more likely to give vitamins than less acculturated mothers. Maternal acculturation is not associated with differences in weight-for-height z-scores, height-for-age, or body mass index of the children. Triceps skinfold thickness are larger in children of more acculturated mothers than in children of less acculturated women. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Dietitians should consider differences in child feeding practices due to acculturation among Mexican-Americans. Successful strategies to encourage consumption of nutritious traditional foods and to transition from child-led snacking to more structured meals should be part of nutrition education programs.