Family Structure and Child Food Insecurity: Evidence from the Current Population Survey

Area of Science:

• Sociology
• Public Health
• Family Studies

Background:

• Food insecurity affects many American families, with some experiencing disrupted eating patterns.
• Limited research exists on the relationship between child food insecurity and diverse family structures.
• Increasing family complexity and persistent food insecurity necessitate further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between family structure and child food insecurity in the U.S.
• To determine if children in complex households are more vulnerable to food insecurity.
• To explore the protective role of marriage in mitigating child food insecurity.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Current Population Survey Food Security Supplement.
• Analyzed a large sample of N=39,619 households across multiple years.
• Compared food insecurity rates across different family structures.

Main Results:

• Children in complex family households demonstrated increased vulnerability to food insecurity.
• Single mother households exhibited higher odds of child food insecurity compared to married families.
• Marriage, including in stepfamilies, showed a potential protective effect against food insecurity, independent of economic factors.

Conclusions:

• Family structure is a significant factor associated with child food insecurity.
• Complex family arrangements and single-mother households are linked to greater food insecurity risks.
• Marriage may provide a protective buffer against child food insecurity, extending beyond financial resources.