1. The Challenge of Compliance: Food Security in Rural Households Affected by Welfare Reform. Food Assistance Needs of the South's Vulnerable Population.
- Author
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Southern Rural Development Center, Mississippi State., Monroe, Pamela A., O'Neil, Carol, Tiller, Vicky V., and Smith, Jennifer
- Abstract
A study examined welfare reform and food security issues. Interviews were conducted with 32 rural Louisiana women in 1997-98 when they were receiving welfare payments, in 1998-99 when they were in transition, and in 2000-01 when none received Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Most women were African-American; about half had not completed high school or a GED. Most women received food stamps, and all households with children relied on free breakfast and lunch programs at their children's schools. The overwhelming majority of study participants had poor diets, despite the fact that few reported food insecurity or hunger. They ate primarily fried foods, fat meats, and large quantities of food--when food was available. About 62 percent of participants were overweight or obese. Nutrition-related chronic diseases, like Type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, and hypertension disproportionally affect low-income women, and obesity is often a co-morbid condition. A policy change like the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 that makes even a temporary reduction in household income can have negative effects on food security. The women's lack of health care coverage will loom large as their health history, poor nutrition, lack of nutrition education, and environmental stressors undermine their long-term physical well-being. The "food safety net" must be protected so that not only food security, but healthy eating, gives low-resource families and children the best possible chance for self-sufficiency on all levels. (Contains 17 references.) (TD)
- Published
- 2002