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Hierarchy of Needs: Patterns of Food Insecurity and Material Hardship Prevalence Among U.S. Families with Young Children Across Income Levels
Snyder, Torie
Snyder, Torie
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Abstract
Food insecurity is a serious public health concern, especially among households with children. Food insecurity impacts children in a variety of ways, including contributing to poor physical and mental health outcomes and overall lower academic readiness. Poverty has profound and long-lasting effects, placing families at increased risk for housing instability, hunger, homelessness, inadequate childcare, and unsafe living environments. This study examined the prevalence of food insecurity and the correlation between food insecurity and other material hardships among 1113 U.S. caregivers with young children. Additionally, it compared households below and above 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). An online survey was administered between February and July 2021 to a national sample of U.S. caregivers of at least one child aged 0–4 years examining life challenges experienced by the respondents, including food insecurity, diaper insecurity, and other hardships and challenges with basic needs. Correlation analyses and chi-squared tests examined hardship clustering patterns overall and stratified by poverty status. Food insecurity was identified among caregivers living in households with incomes both below (33.1%) and above (12.5%) 200% FPL. Food insecurity did not occur in isolation, rather it tended to cluster together with other forms of hardship including clinical depression (r=0.47; 81.7% of food insecure had depression), medical cost burden (r=0.47; 55.1%), and diaper insecurity (r=0.53; 72.3%). The results revealed a hierarchy of necessity, built upon Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, experienced when caregivers are exposed to food insecurity both above and below 200% FPL. This study provides useful information for food security interventions. Policies that don’t account for the presented hierarchy will keep managing poverty rather than dismantling it. Breaking the cycle of poverty requires focusing on fulfilling the basic needs outlined in Maslow’s hierarchy, such as providing consistent food, shelter, and security.
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Date
2026