Determinants of Food Insecurity in Higher-Income Households in Canada

About 15% of all food insecure households in Canadian surveys are not income poor. Using pooled data from the nationally representative Canadian Community Health Survey, spanning the years 2005-2010, this study investigated risk factors for food insecurity in higher-income households. Food insecurity was increased among renters, single-parent households, and those with greater household size and where educational attainment was lower, unemployment benefits were received, chronic disease was present, and smoking and problem gambling occurred. Consideration of these factors may inform policies and programs that provide access to short-term income support for higher-income households as well as treatment for gambling and other addictions.