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Food supply

Food Parenting Stress Common Among Caregivers in Food Insecure Households

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Food parenting stress is a significant issue among caregivers, particularly those who do not have access to secure food sources. A study published in the Journal of Preventive Medicine Reports found that nearly half of respondents reported feeling stressed about ensuring their child eats the right amount of food, the right kind of food, and healthy food outside the home. This stress is significantly higher among households that do not experience food security. Researchers recommend pairing nutrition education with supports that address structural barriers to food access.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nearly half of caregivers (46%) reported feeling stressed about ensuring their child eats the right amount of food.
  • 49% of caregivers felt stressed about ensuring their child eats the right kind of food.
  • 50% of caregivers felt stressed about ensuring their child eats healthy food outside the home.
  • Caregivers in households without food security had significantly higher odds of reporting stress across all feeding situations.
  • The study found that caregivers in food insecure households experienced heightened food parenting stress.
  • Nutrition education should be paired with supports that address structural barriers to food access.

Statistics:

  • 779 caregivers participated in the study.
  • 46% of caregivers reported feeling stressed about ensuring their child eats the right amount of food.
  • 49% of caregivers felt stressed about ensuring their child eats the right kind of food.
  • 50% of caregivers felt stressed about ensuring their child eats healthy food outside the home.
  • Households without food security had 2.5 times higher odds of reporting stress (adjusted for covariates).
  • The study used baseline data from Rhode Island and Connecticut (May-September 2023).

Sources:

  • Food parenting stress among caregivers receiving government food assistance: a study from the United States. Preventive Medicine Reports, 2025, 57():103189.
  • NewsRx. Reports from Brown University School of Public Health Advance Knowledge in Preventive Medicine (Food parenting stress among caregivers receiving government food assistance: a study from the United States). Health & Medicine Week. September 12, 2025; p 4549.

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