The relationship between income and food insecurity among Oregon residents: does social support matter?

OBJECTIVE Millions of US households experienced food insecurity in 2005. Research indicates that low wages and little social support contribute to food insecurity. The present study aimed to examine whether social support moderates the relationship between income and food insecurity. DESIGN Using a mail survey, we collected data on social support sources (social network, intimate partner and community) and social support functions from a social network (instrumental, informational and emotional). We used hierarchical logistic regression to examine the potential moderation of various measures of social support on the relationship between income and food insecurity, adjusting for potential confounding variables. SETTING Oregon, USA. SUBJECTS A stratified random sample of Oregonians aged 18-64 years (n 343). RESULTS We found no evidence of an association between social support and food insecurity, nor any evidence that social support acts as a moderator between income and food insecurity, regardless of the measure of social support used. CONCLUSIONS Although previous research suggested that social support could offset the negative impact of low income on food security, our study did not find support for such an effect.