Table 1 Food insecurity level, based on CCHS 18-item questionnaire

Food-secure

Affirmed no item on either the 10-item adult food security scale or 8-item child food security scale

No report of income-related problems of food access.

Marginally food-insecure

Affirmed no more than 1 item on either scale

Some indication of worry or an income-related barrier to adequate, secure food access.

Moderately food-insecure

Affirmed 2 to 5 items on the adult scale or 2 to 4 items on the child scale

Compromise in quality and/or quantity of food consumed by adults and/or children due to a lack of money for food.

Severely food-insecure

Affirmed more than 5 items on the adult scale or more than 4 items on the child scale

Disrupted eating patterns and reduced food intake among adults and/or children due to a lack of money for food.