Assessing Energy Adequacy, Healthy Food Diversity, and Self-Reported Food Security in the United States, Canada, and India

Abstract

In order to assess the effectiveness of public policy interventions (or lack of) aimed at food insecure households, an individual’s socio-economic and demographic status, energy adequacy, and healthy food diversity need to be better understood. Through a cross-country comparison (Canada, US and India) of the determinants of dietary adequacy and diversity, with different policy programs aimed at enhancing food security in place, we can provide recommendations for effective strategies aimed at reducing food insecurity, in different contexts. Results suggest that multiple indicators need to be assessed to understand the multi-faceted nature of a household’s food security status. Income plays a significant role in energy adequacy, while respondent age and family size play an important role in healthy food diversity. Assessing policy programs by effectiveness suggests that India may benefit from a cash transfer program instead of the traditional TPDS.