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Explaining Racial Inequality in Food Security in Columbus, Ohio: A Blinder–Oaxaca Decomposition Analysis

Author

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  • Keumseok Koh

    (Department of Geography, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China)

  • Michelle L. Kaiser

    (College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Glennon Sweeney

    (Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity; Department of City and Regional Planning, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Karima Samadi

    (College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

  • Ayaz Hyder

    (Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA)

Abstract

Food insecurity is a leading public health challenge in the United States. In Columbus, Ohio, as in many American cities, there exists a great disparity between Black and White households in relation to food insecurity. This study investigates the degree to which this gap can be attributed to differences in food shopping behavior, neighborhood perception, and socioeconomic characteristics. A Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition method is used to analyze a household survey dataset collected in 2014. We find a 34.2 percent point difference in food security between White and Black households. Variables related to food shopping behavior, neighborhood perception, and socioeconomic characteristics explain 13.8 percent, 11.6 percent, and 63.1 percent of the difference, respectively. These independent variables combined can explain 68.2 percent of the food security gap between White and Black households. Most of this is attributable to socioeconomic variables. Sense of friendship in neighborhood, use of private vehicles, and satisfaction of neighborhood food environment also partially contribute to the food security gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Keumseok Koh & Michelle L. Kaiser & Glennon Sweeney & Karima Samadi & Ayaz Hyder, 2020. "Explaining Racial Inequality in Food Security in Columbus, Ohio: A Blinder–Oaxaca Decomposition Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:15:p:5488-:d:391751
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    References listed on IDEAS

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