FOOD INSUFFICIENCY EXISTS IN THE UNITED-STATES - RESULTS FROM THE 3RDNATIONAL-HEALTH AND NUTRITION EXAMINATION SURVEY (NHANES-III)

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence o f food insufficiency in the United States and to examine sociodemograp hic characteristics related to food insufficiency. Methods. Data were analyzed from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Surv ey, a cross-sectional representative sample of the civilian noninstitu tionalized population living in households. Individuals were classifie d as ''food insufficient'' if a family respondent reported that the fa mily sometimes or often did not get enough food to eat. Results. From 1988 through 1994, the overall prevalence of food insufficiency was 4. 1% and was primarily related to poverty status. In the low-income popu lation, food insufficiency was positively associated with being Mexica n American, being under the age of 60, having a family head who had no t completed high school, participating in the Food Stamp Program, and not having health insurance. It was not related to family type or empl oyment status of the family head. Over half of food-insufficient indiv iduals lived in employed families. Conclusions. Food insufficiency is not limited to very low-income persons, specific racial/ethnic groups, family types, or the unemployed. Understanding food insufficiency is critical to formulating nutrition programs and policies.