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Hunger of the body and hunger of the mind: African American women's perceptions of food insecurity, health and violence
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Hunger of the body and hunger of the mind: African American women's perceptions of food insecurity, health and violence

Mariana Chilton and Sue Booth
Journal of nutrition education and behavior, v 39(3), pp 116-125
May 2007
PMID: 17493561

Abstract

Eating - psychology Food Supply Poverty Humans Middle Aged Focus Groups Mental Health Food Services Adult Female Interviews as Topic Anxiety Domestic Violence Health Status Hunger - physiology Philadelphia African Americans - psychology
This qualitative study examined the relationship between health, hunger, and food insecurity among African American women in Philadelphia. Four focus groups and 12 individual in-home, semistructured interviews were conducted. 3 food pantries in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 34 women recruited from 3 food pantries. Interview topics included participants' experiences of food insecurity, food sources, and the relationship between food, hunger, and health. A phenomenological coding scheme and network analysis was developed based on themes emerging from qualitative data. The experience of food insecurity was related to violence and poor mental health. Women described 2 kinds of hunger: "hunger of the body" and "hunger of the mind." Hunger of the body referred to the outright painful sensation of hunger caused by insufficient funds. Hunger of the mind was related to trauma, encompassing feelings of depression and hopelessness. Both forms of hunger may be a physical manifestation of structural and interpersonal violence. There is a need for a broader framework to examine the health effects of food insecurity that addresses women's safety, economic independence, and physical and emotional well-being.

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#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Education, Scientific Disciplines
Nutrition & Dietetics
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