Year of Publication
2020
College
Public Health
Date Available
5-7-2020
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Committee Member
Dr. Kathi Harp
Advisor
Dr. John Lyons
Committee Member
Dr. Julie Plasencia
Co-Director of Graduate Studies
Dr. Jennifer Knight
Abstract
Hunger is a global public health issue and finding a solution is a priority for the United Nations. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2.2 calls for ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture for all people by 2030. The Universities Fighting World Hunger (UFWH) Summit, originating with the United Nation’s originated World Food Programme (WFP) and Auburn University, convenes attendees annually to share their own knowledge and ideas about how to “fight hunger,” as well as benefit from others knowledge and ideas. An important factor in tackling hunger and achieving health is addressing poverty and low socioeconomic status (SES). Due to the profound impact SES has on all aspects of life (including neuroscience) at all ages, the current study has two research objectives: 1) to examine if there is a relationship between childhood SES of UFWH Summit attendees (n=16) and their intention in adulthood to participate in food security in their community, and 2) to examine if there is a relationship between childhood SES of UFWH Summit attendees and their knowledge of food security initiatives. The current study found no significant differences in means between high-childhood SES group and low-childhood SES group when asked about their intentions to participate in their community within the next 6 months. One item in the knowledge portion of the study (campus food recovery efforts) showed a significant difference in means (p=0.048). This trend indicates a need for further exploration in future studies. It is recommended to continue the research into these topics with a larger sample size to understand more about how childhood socioeconomic status may influence intentions in participate in community efforts into adulthood. Repeating this study and similar studies in advocacy-driven conference settings will help us better understand the individuals that attend these conferences and how to improve the conference content in order to increase advocacy for public health and participation in the future.
Recommended Citation
Dixon, Liana, "An Empirical Pilot Study Examining the Relationship Between Intention to Participate in Food Security Efforts and Childhood Socioeconomic Status Among Conference Attendees" (2020). Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.). 280.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cph_etds/280
